This article describes Lamictal’s dosages and strengths and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Lamictal. To learn more about Lamictal, talk with your doctor.
Lamictal is a brand-name medication that comes in multiple oral tablet forms. It’s available in a generic version called lamotrigine. This article describes dosages of Lamictal.
Lamictal has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the end of this article.
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Forms and strengths of Lamictal
Lamictal comes in the following forms and strengths. Strengths are in milligrams (mg).
| Form | How to take | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 25 mg • 100 mg • 150 mg • 200 mg |
| extended-release (XR)* tablet | take by swallowing | • 25 mg • 50 mg • 100 mg • 200 mg • 250 mg • 300 mg |
| tablet for suspension | take by swallowing | • 2 mg • 5 mg • 25 mg |
| orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) | place on your tongue and allow to dissolve | • 25 mg • 50 mg • 100 mg • 200 mg |
* “Extended release (XR)” means the drug is released slowly into your body over a period of time after it’s taken.
Dosage of Lamictal
This article describes the recommended dosages for Lamictal. The drugmaker provides these dosages. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Lamictal without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Lamictal in adults
Lamictal is prescribed for the following conditions:
- Bipolar disorder: Lamictal is prescribed for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults, alone or in combination with other drugs.
- Epilepsy: Lamictal is prescribed to prevent and manage seizure conditions due to epilepsy in adults and in children ages 2 years and older. Seizure conditions may include partial onset (also known as focal onset seizures), generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
The form of Lamictal your doctor prescribes will depend on which health condition you have and your age. The dosage they prescribe will depend on your condition, age, weight (for children), and whether you’re taking other medications to treat your condition.
Due to how Lamictal works in the body, it may interact with other medications prescribed to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Your doctor will review all medications you’re taking to determine the dosage of Lamictal that’s best for you. Higher doses of Lamictal are often divided and taken at least twice per day.
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Lamictal. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Lamictal that gives the desired outcome.
Dosages of Lamictal for adults with bipolar I disorder
Here are the recommended dosages of Lamictal when taken alone or in combination with other medications for the treatment of bipolar I disorder in adults:
| Taking Lamictal alone | Taking Lamictal and valproate | Taking Lamictal and other epilepsy drugs (not valproate) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 and 2 | 25 mg once per day | 25 mg once every other day | 50 mg once per day |
| Weeks 3 and 4 | 50 mg once per day | 25 mg once per day | 100 mg per day, in divided doses |
| Week 5 | 100 mg once per day | 50 mg once per day | 200 mg per day, in divided doses |
| Week 6 | 200 mg once per day | 100 mg once per day | 300 mg per day, in divided doses |
| Week 7 | 200 mg once per day | 100 mg once per day | up to 400 mg per day, in divided doses |
If you’ve been taking other drugs for bipolar I disorder and you’re switching to Lamictal, your doctor will recommend the dosage that’s right for you.
Dosage of Lamictal for adults and children older than age 12 years with epilepsy
Here are the recommended dosages of Lamictal when taken alone or in combination with other medications for the treatment of epilepsy in adults and children older than age 12 years:
| Taking Lamictal alone | Taking Lamictal and valproate | Taking Lamictal and other epilepsy drugs (not valproate) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 and 2 | 25 mg once per day | 25 mg once every other day | 50 mg per day |
| Weeks 3 and 4 | 50 mg once per day | 25 mg once per day | 100 mg per day, in divided doses |
| Week 5 until maintenance | increase dose by 50 mg per day, every 1 to 2 weeks | increase dose by 25 to 50 mg per day, every 1 to 2 weeks | increase by 100 mg per day, every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Maintenance dosage | 225 to 375 mg per day, in divided doses | 100 to 200 mg per day, in single or divided doses If taking with medications that may interact with Lamictal and valproate: 100 to 400 mg per day, divided into 1 or 2 doses | 300 to 500 mg per day, in divided doses |
Dosage of Lamictal extended-release (XR) oral tablet for adults and children ages 13 years and older with epilepsy
Here are the recommended dosages of Lamictal XR oral tablet when taken alone or in combination with other medications to treat epilepsy in adults and children ages 13 years and older:
| Taking Lamictal XR alone | Taking Lamictal XR and valproate | Taking Lamictal XR and other epilepsy medications (not valproate) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 and 2 | 25 mg once per day | 25 mg once every other day | 50 mg once per day |
| Weeks 3 and 4 | 50 mg once per day | 25 mg once per day | 100 mg once per day |
| Week 5 | 100 mg once per day | 50 mg once per day | 200 mg once per day |
| Week 6 | 150 mg once per day | 100 mg once per day | 300 mg once per day |
| Week 7 | 200 mg once per day | 150 mg once per day | 400 mg once per day |
| Maintenance dosage | 300 to 400 mg once per day | 200 to 250 mg once per day | 400 to 600 mg once per day |
If you’ve been taking valproate for epilepsy and you’re switching to Lamictal XR, your doctor will recommend the dosage that’s right for you.
For more information about dosages of Lamictal XR for the indications above, talk with your doctor.
Dosages of Lamictal in children
Lamictal is prescribed to treat epilepsy in adults and children ages 2 years and older. Seizure conditions may include partial onset (also known as focal onset) seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Doses of Lamictal for children older than age 12 years can be found in the “Usual recommended dosages for adults” section above. Doses for children ages 2 to 12 years with seizures are listed in the table below. The dosage of Lamictal for this age group is based on the child’s weight in kilograms (kg). (One kg is about 2.2 pounds [lb].)
Dosage of Lamictal for children ages 2 to 12 years with epilepsy
| Taking Lamictal alone | Taking Lamictal and valproate | Taking Lamictal and other epilepsy medications (not valproate) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 and 2 | 0.3 mg/kg per day, in single or divided doses | 0.15 mg/kg per day, in single or divided doses | 0.6 mg/kg per day, in divided doses |
| Weeks 3 and 4 | 4.5 to 7.5 mg/kg per day, with a maximum of 300 mg/day, in divided doses* | 0.3 mg/kg per day, in single or divided doses | 1.2 mg/kg per day, in divided doses |
| Week 5 until maintenance | increase by 0.6 mg/kg per day every 1 to 2 weeks | increase by 0.3 mg/kg per day every 1 to 2 weeks | increase by 1.2 mg/kg per day every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Maintenance dosage | 5 to 15 mg/kg per day, with a maximum of 400 mg/day, in divided doses* | 1 to 3 mg/kg per day, in single or divided doses*† | 5 to 15 mg/kg per day, with maximum of 400 mg/day, in divided doses* |
* If the child’s body weight is less than 30 kg (about 66 lb), the dose may need to be increased by 50% based on their response to the medication.
† If taking with medications that may interact with Lamictal and valproate: 1 to 5 mg/kg per day, with a maximum of 200 mg per day, in single or divided doses.
Weight-based dosage for Lamictal in children ages 2 to 12 years with epilepsy and also taking valproate (weeks 1 to 4)
| Body weight in kg | Approximate body weight in lb | Weeks 1 and 2 | Weeks 3 and 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 to less than 14 kg | 14.8 to less than 30.9 lb | 2 mg once every other day | 2 mg once per day |
| 14.1 to less than 27 kg | 31 to less than 59.5 lb | 2 mg once per day | 4 mg once per day |
| 27.1 to less than 34 kg | 59.7 to less than 75 lb | 4 mg once per day | 8 mg once per day |
| 34.1 to less than 40 kg | 75.1 to less than 88 lb | 5 mg once per day | 10 mg once per day |
For more information about dosages of Lamictal for children, talk with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Lamictal and its dosage.
What dosage of Lamictal can be used for weight loss?
Lamictal is not approved by the FDA to treat weight loss. Weight loss is a possible side effect of Lamictal. Due to the potential for drug interactions and side effects, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe Lamictal off-label for weight loss.
With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it is approved for. If you have questions about Lamictal and weight loss, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What dosage of Lamictal can be used for depression?
Lamictal is not approved by the FDA to treat depression. Depression is often a symptom experienced in people with bipolar disorder. By treating bipolar disorder with Lamictal, symptoms of bipolar depression may also improve. However, it is important to note that depression is also a possible side effect of Lamictal.
Due to the potential for drug interactions and side effects, your doctor is unlikely to prescribe Lamictal off-label for depression.
With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it is approved for. If you have questions about Lamictal and depression, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Lamictal taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe Lamictal as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take Lamictal, talk with your doctor.
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