Avoiding Errors with Lamictal Starter Kits (July 2009)

A recent FDA article describes medication errors that occurred with patients using Lamictal starter kits. Lamictal (lamotrigine) is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

The starter kits give patients the recommended initial dose and dose escalation regimen for the first five weeks of treatment. There are three different Lamictal starter kits - orange, blue and green. The titration schedules of these kits vary depending on other medications a patient is taking. Patients must use the right starter kit to avoid over or underdosing. Overdosing a patient could result in ataxia, nystagmus, increased seizures, decreased level of consciousness, coma, and intraventricular conduction delay. Patients who are underdosed may get only limited relief from their epilepsy or bipolar disorder.

Some of the reports say that the wrong kit was dispensed to the patient. Others say the patient administered the product incorrectly. The patients experienced adverse events ranging from sensations of fuzziness and buzzing in the head to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

The article outlines several ways pharmacists can help avoid these errors. Here are some of them:

• Ask patients what medications they're taking to be sure the right starter kit has been prescribed.

• If you get a prescription that specifies the Lamictal starter kit by color only, verify that the correct one has been ordered.

• Make sure patients know how to take the tablets in the starter pack correctly. Advise them that the dose will increase from week to week.

• Warn patients to contact their prescriber immediately if a rash appears, since this may be a sign of a serious reaction.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Lamictal Starter Kits
• Lamotrigine
• Epilepsy
• Bipolar Disorder
• Overdosing
• Underdosing
• Ataxia
• Nystagmus
• Increased Seizures
• Coma
• FDA
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
• Patient Safety

[theburyboys]

I've been on Lamictal for 2 years now and it has worked very well. 300 mgs per day.

[robbo20786]

yeh SJS is rare arsehole. Don't come on this site and put people off the drug that's not fair. I know alot of people that have turned their life around with this drug.

[Gaddkraelarn]

Been on lamotrigine for.. 3-4 years now. 250 mgs per day. It has worked fine with me.The insomnia, dizzyness and other zombie-sideeffects wore off after 2-3 months. The only thing is that my memory is fucked up and my mind.. well, works slower. Hard to explain. But it's worth it.

[metronomic1]

@CBW123 Just because you had a reaction does not mean everyone will. Most people are fine on it.

[ScienceProjek]

@MrChuckrice1 lol...

[MrChuckrice1]

god lord. Just started taking this drug..Why do I look stuff up like this? It freaks me out.

[CBW123]

DO NOT TAKE!!!!!!!!!!! It gave me sjs and that was by far the worst experience of my life PLEASE hear me out if you are thinking of taking it DON'T ITS TOO RISKY. Trust me

[lestacio18]

I HATE LAMICTAL. TOOK IT IN 2002 and caused me to have STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME and my life is now miserable..scary scary drug. please LEARN about SJS and the problems it can cause and the chances of risks. everyone is different.but please know.if you DO get this "rash" aka SJS,it MAY NOT STOP ON IT'S OWN and may have to run its course through your body and STOPPING the med does NOT mean you stop the reaction from becoming permanently disabling and/or disfiguring. be safe please

[meldridge1980]

stay vigilant for side effects don't let it scare u. Ive been takin it for 1.5yrs no problems so far.

GOOD LUK

[katyafan]

me too! only my second day...