Lamotrigina per epilessia

About lamotrigine

Avere l'epilessia means that you have had more than one unexplained fit, or seizure. A seizure is a short episode of symptoms caused by a burst of abnormal electrical activity in your brain. Different parts of the brain control different functions of your body, so the symptoms that occur during a seizure will depend on where the abnormal burst of electrical activity occurs. Symptoms that may occur during a seizure can affect your muscles, sensations, behaviour, emotions, and consciousness, or a combination of these. The seizures can be prevented in most people by suitable antiepileptic medication. Lamotrigine is a commonly used medicine. It works by stabilising the electrical activity of your brain, which helps to prevent the seizures from occurring.

Lamotrigine is also prescribed as a treatment for bipolar disorder, which is a condition where there can be extreme mood swings. It is helpful in preventing the periods of depression that occur in people with this disorder.

Before taking lamotrigine

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking lamotrigine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• Se hai problemi con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni o del tuo fegato.

• Se hai Malattia di Parkinson.

• If you have any problems with the way your heart works.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

How to take lamotrigine

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about lamotrigine and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take lamotrigine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your dose will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said. It is usual to start treatment on a low dose, and then for the dose to be increased gradually to a regular maintenance dose. It is usual to take either one or two doses every day. Doses for children are tailored to their age and weight.

• Try to take your doses at the same times of day, each day. Having a routine will help you to remember to take your doses regularly. You can take lamotrigine either before or after meals.

• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water, do not crush or chew the tablet.

• If you have been supplied with lamotrigine dispersible/chewable tablets, you can stir the tablet into a little water to help you swallow, or you can chew the tablet before swallowing it. Always use whole tablets for your dose, do not try to split the tablets.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
  

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

• Quando inizi un nuovo trattamento per l'epilessia, potrebbe esserci un cambiamento nel numero o nel tipo di crisi che sperimenti. Il tuo medico ti consiglierà a riguardo.

• Cerca di mantenere i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico. Questo è per permettere al tuo medico di controllare i tuoi progressi.

• Different formulations and makes of lamotrigine can act in a slightly different way in your body. Because of this, your doctor may recommend that you continue to take lamotrigine from the same manufacturer each time you obtain a new supply. If so, each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure your supply looks the same and that the name is the same. If you are unsure, or if you have any questions about your prescription, please ask your pharmacist to advise you.

• Se acquisti dei medicinali, verifica con un farmacista che siano adatti a te.

• Durante il trattamento per l'epilessia, c'è un piccolo rischio di sviluppare cambiamenti d'umore, pensieri angoscianti e sentimenti di suicidio. Se ciò accade, devi informare immediatamente il tuo medico.

• Le persone con epilessia devono smettere di guidare inizialmente. Il tuo medico ti consiglierà su quando potrebbe essere possibile ricominciare a guidare. Di solito sarà dopo un anno senza crisi epilettiche.

• Antiepileptic medicines can harm an unborn child. If you are a woman, make sure you have discussed with your doctor which types of contraception are suitable for you and your partner. If you want to have a family, discuss this with your doctor so that you can be given advice from a specialist prima you become pregnant.

• You need to take lamotrigine regularly every day. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• Se bevi alcolici, chiedi consiglio al tuo medico. Il tuo medico potrebbe consigliarti di non bere alcolici mentre stai assumendo questo medicinale.

Can lamotrigine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with lamotrigine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Importante: your doctor will discuss with you the possibility that lamotrigine can cause blood disorders and allergic skin reactions. Although these occur much less commonly than the side-effects listed above, it is important that you contact your doctor immediatamente if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• A high temperature (fever) or swollen glands.

• Estrema stanchezza.

• Unexplained bruising or bleeding.

• A severe skin rash.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to lamotrigine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store lamotrigine

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali