Key takeaways

  • Lamictal (lamotrigine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and seizures. It is available in multiple forms, including tablets you swallow, tablets that dissolve, and extended-release tablets.
  • Lamictal has a boxed warning for the risk of serious skin rashes. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a skin rash, fever, blisters, or swollen lymph nodes.
  • More commonly reported side effects of Lamictal include headache, double vision, nausea, skin rash, fever, and dizziness. Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during treatment.

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is prescribed to treat several conditions. These include:

  • bipolar I disorder in adults
  • focal onset seizures, also known as partial onset seizures in adults and certain children when switching from a different treatment to Lamictal alone
  • certain kinds of epilepsy in adults and some children when Lamictal is taken with another drug

The active ingredient in Lamictal is lamotrigine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Lamictal comes in several forms:

  • tablets you swallow
  • tablets that dissolve in your mouth
  • tablets for oral suspension that you can swallow whole, chew, or mix with a liquid and drink
  • extended-release tablets (Lamictal XR) that slowly release the drug into your body over time

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects of Lamictal. To learn more about Lamictal, including its uses, dosage, and cost, see this Lamictal overview article.

X drug has a boxed warning for the risk of serious skin rashes. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Lamictal can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to manage.

Lamictal’s more commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Lamictal. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Lamictal unless your doctor recommends it.

Lamictal may cause mild side effects other than those listed previously. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Lamictal may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, see Lamictal’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Lamictal, which include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Lamictal, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Lamictal can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect occurred in studies of the drug.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Lamictal.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Lamictal, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Lamictal and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Lamictal is prescribed to treat some types of epilepsy in certain children. It’s prescribed for children ages 2 years and older in combination with another drug to treat:

It’s also prescribed on its own for children ages 16 years and older to treat focal onset seizures.

Lamictal causes mostly similar side effects in children and adults. But it was shown to cause more infection- and respiration-related side effects in children in the drug’s studies. These happened in addition to some of the side effects listed earlier. Examples include:

There may be things you can do to help make certain Lamictal side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Risk of serious skin rashes

Lamictal has a boxed warning for the risk of serious skin rashes. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

In rare cases in the drug’s studies, some people taking Lamictal experienced serious or life threatening skin rashes. They included Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and DRESS, which is a multiorgan hypersensitivity syndrome.

The risk of serious skin reactions is higher in children than in adults.

Your risk of a serious skin reaction may be higher if:

  • your starting dose of Lamictal is higher than recommended
  • your dose is increased faster than recommended
  • you take Lamictal with an epilepsy medication called valproate or Depakote (divalproex sodium)

Rashes can happen anytime during Lamictal treatment but are more likely within 2 to 8 weeks of starting the drug.

What might help

Call your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of a drug-related reaction. These may include:

If you feel your reaction is life threatening, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Your doctor will likely have you stop taking Lamictal if you have a skin reaction and will recommend another treatment instead.

Weight changes

Lamictal can cause changes in weight (loss or gain). In studies of the drug, weight loss was more common than weight gain. Weight changes can happen from many causes, including:

  • medical conditions you have
  • other medications you take
  • other side effects of Lamictal
  • your diet and activity level

What might help

If you have weight changes with Lamictal, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and suggest ways to maintain a moderate weight, such as by:

  • eating a healthy diet
  • staying active
  • getting adequate rest

Insomnia

Lamictal can cause insomnia in some people. This side effect was more common in people taking the medication for bipolar disorder than for epilepsy. But sleep disorders, including insomnia and excessive sleepiness, have been reported as common but mild side effects in Lamictal studies.

What might help

Insomnia is a mild side effect in most cases. But if you have insomnia that’s bothersome or you have other side effects along with insomnia, such as mood changes, call your doctor. They can discuss your symptoms with you and suggest ways to manage them. In certain situations, your doctor may have you stop Lamictal and switch to a different medication that’s better suited for you.

Dizziness

Dizziness was a common but mild side effect reported in Lamictal’s studies. But dizziness may have other causes. It can result from other side effects of the drug, such as a drop in blood pressure or low blood cell counts, which is a serious side effect of Lamictal.

What might help

Dizziness is usually a mild and temporary side effect of Lamictal. But if you have dizziness along with other side effects, such as problems with balance or blurred vision, tell your doctor. They’ll decide whether you need to stop taking this medication.

Problems with coordination

Lamictal can cause problems with balance or coordination. This was a common but mild side effect reported in the drug’s studies. Lamictal can also cause dizziness and problems with your vision (blurred or double vision), which could worsen coordination problems.

What might help

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have balance or coordination problems with Lamictal. They may suggest that you avoid sudden changes in position (such as when going from sitting to standing) to lessen this side effect.

But if you have serious balance or coordination problems along with other bothersome side effects, such as dizziness and vision changes, call your doctor. They’ll decide whether you need to stop Lamictal and switch to a different medication.

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about Lamictal’s side effects.

Does Lamictal cause different side effects when taken for bipolar disorder versus other uses?

It’s possible. How a medication affects you may depend on various individual factors, such as:

  • your overall health
  • your age
  • other medications you take

In Lamictal studies, certain common side effects of the drug were similar when used alone for bipolar disorder or certain types of epilepsy. These include:

But Lamictal can cause different side effects based on the condition it’s prescribed to treat. For example, when taken alone for bipolar disorder, Lamictal can cause weight gain. But when taken for focal onset seizures in adults, it can cause weight loss.

More people taking Lamictal for bipolar disorder experience migraine, back pain, and frequent urination compared with those taking it for certain types of epilepsy.

In children, Lamictal taken for epilepsy caused higher rates of infection and fever than other side effects. For more information, see “Side effects in children.”

If you’re concerned about certain side effects of Lamictal, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss with you your likelihood of certain side effects.

Can Lamictal cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible in rare cases. Long-term side effects refer to those that may start at any time you’re taking Lamictal, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. It also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop taking Lamictal.

Serious long-term side effects that Lamictal can cause include:

Lamictal can also cause DRESS. This is a type of rash which may be life threatening. It can cause serious problems with your liver, kidneys, and heart, which can cause long-term effects such as organ failure.

If you have questions about possible long-term side effects of Lamictal, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide more information.

Do side effects of Lamictal go away?

Most side effects of Lamictal are mild and go away in a few days to weeks as you continue treatment. But in some rare cases, taking Lamictal may cause long-term side effects. (See the FAQ mentioned in the earlier section for examples of side effects that may be ongoing.)

Note that how long side effects take to resolve may depend on other factors, such as other medications you take, your age, and your overall health.

For example, adults ages 65 years and older with kidney problems may have a higher risk of ongoing side effects from Lamictal. This is because your kidneys help to remove the drug from your body. If they’re not working properly, Lamictal can build up in your system, increasing your risk of the drug’s side effects.

If you have questions about how long side effects of Lamictal can last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss your concerns with you and provide more information.

Is anger a side effect of Lamictal?

No, anger wasn’t a side effect reported in Lamictal’s studies. But in rare cases, the drug can cause changes in mood or behavior, which may include feelings of aggression and irritability.

If you’re experiencing mood shifts or anger while taking Lamictal for bipolar disorder, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and whether you need to stop taking this medication.

Before starting treatment with Lamictal, talk with your doctor about your health history, including any of the factors described in the following section.

Boxed warning: Risk of serious skin rashes

Lamictal has a boxed warning for the risk of serious skin rashes. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. Lamictal can cause serious skin rashes in rare cases. Types of serious or life threatening rashes reported in studies include:

To learn more, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Other warnings

Lamictal may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Lamictal. Factors to consider include those described as follows.

Heart problems: Lamictal can cause heart-related problems, such as an abnormal heart rhythm. Your risk is higher if you already have heart problems. In rare cases, heart rhythm problems can cause sudden death. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, including heart failure. They’ll decide whether Lamictal is safe for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lamictal or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Suicidal thoughts or behaviors: Lamictal may increase your risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If you’ve ever had suicidal thoughts or behavior, tell your doctor before starting Lamictal. If they prescribe this drug for you, they may monitor you more closely during your treatment. In some cases, they may suggest a different medication for your condition.

Kidney problems. Lamictal is removed through your kidneys. If you have serious kidney problems, it may take longer for Lamictal to leave your body. This can increase your risk of side effects from the drug. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. They’ll decide whether Lamictal is safe for you and, if so, whether you’ll need a lower dose of the drug.

Liver problems: If you have moderate to severe liver problems, Lamictal can build up in your body. This could increase your risk of side effects. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems. They’ll decide whether Lamictal is safe for you and, if so, whether you’ll need a lower dose of the drug.

Alcohol and Lamictal

Lamictal isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But drinking alcohol while taking Lamictal may increase your risk of certain side effects from the medication. These may include dizziness, nausea, insomnia, and coordination problems.

If you’re taking Lamictal for bipolar I disorder, drinking alcohol may worsen this condition.

If you plan to drink alcohol while taking Lamictal, talk with your doctor about how much (if any) is safe to consume.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Lamictal

Lamictal is usually only prescribed for pregnant or breastfeeding people if the benefits of treatment outweigh the potential risks to the fetus or child.

Pregnancy

It’s not clear how Lamictal affects a growing fetus, but it may cause harm to its development. If you’re taking Lamictal and you’re pregnant or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks of taking this medication during this time. They can discuss the pros and cons of treatment.

There’s a pregnancy registry for those who take antiepileptic drugs such as Lamictal during pregnancy. Registries collect information about the effects of a medication when taken during pregnancy. You can learn more by visiting The North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry or by calling 888-233-2334. Your doctor can also provide more information.

Breastfeeding

Lamictal passes into breast milk. If it’s taken while breastfeeding, it can cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child if you’re taking Lamictal.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.