Lamotrigine and its applications in the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological and psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Lamotrigine is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug, initially approved in 1994 for the adjunctive treatment of partial seizures in adults and for the generalized seizures of Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in pediatric (>2 years old) and adult populations. Its role in the treatment of bipolar disorder type I has also been well established. In addition, lamotrigine has been successfully used for the management of other neurological conditions such as migraines and neuropathic pain, and preliminary data show promising results. It has favorable pharmacokinetic properties and is generally well tolerated. The small risk of serious skin rash can be minimized with slow titration of the drug and dose adjustment with concomitant medications. Lamotrigine has demonstrated particular benefit in the treatment of women and elderly patients with epilepsy.

Keywords::

• adverse effects
• antiepileptic drugs
• bipolar
• elderly
• epilepsy
• lamotrigine
• neuropathic pain
• pharmacokinetics
• seizures
• tolerability
• women