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lamotrigine (brand Lamictal)
lamotrigine (brand Lamictal) is a Anticonvulsant / Mood stabilizer Small molecule drug developed by University of Maryland, Baltimore. It is currently FDA-approved for Epilepsy (partial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome), Bipolar I disorder maintenance treatment (depression prevention), Off-label: bipolar depression, neuropathic pain. Also known as: Lamictal.
Lamotrigine blocks voltage-gated sodium channels and inhibits glutamate release, reducing neuronal excitability.
Lamotrigine blocks voltage-gated sodium channels and inhibits glutamate release, reducing neuronal excitability. Used for Epilepsy (partial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome), Bipolar I disorder maintenance treatment (depression prevention), Off-label: bipolar depression, neuropathic pain.
At a glance
| Generic name | lamotrigine (brand Lamictal) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Lamictal |
| Sponsor | University of Maryland, Baltimore |
| Drug class | Anticonvulsant / Mood stabilizer |
| Target | Voltage-gated sodium channels; glutamate release inhibition |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology / Psychiatry |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Lamotrigine stabilizes neuronal membranes by blocking sodium channels, which prevents repetitive neuronal firing. It also inhibits the release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, thereby reducing excessive neuronal activity. These combined effects make it effective as an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer.
Approved indications
- Epilepsy (partial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)
- Bipolar I disorder maintenance treatment (depression prevention)
- Off-label: bipolar depression, neuropathic pain
Common side effects
- Rash (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome risk)
- Dizziness
- Ataxia
- Somnolence
- Headache
- Diplopia
- Nausea
Key clinical trials
- Intensified Pharmacological Treatment for Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Depression After a First-time Treatment Failure (PHASE3)
- Drug Concentrations in Breast Milk and Prediction of Blood Levels of the Breastfed Infants
- Lamotrigine Bioequivalence (PHASE4)
- A Bioavailability Crossover Study of Two Formulations of Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablets in Healthy Subjects (PHASE1)
- Characterization of Epilepsy Patients BEEP 2b (PHASE1)
- BEEP Follow Up: Evaluation of Repeatability of Lamotrigine Pharmacokinetics in Epileptic Patients (PHASE4)
- Equivalence Among Antiepileptic Drug Generic and Brand Products in People With Epilepsy: Single-Dose 6-Period Replicate Design (EQUIGEN Single-Dose Study) (PHASE4)
- Equivalence Among Antiepileptic Drug Generic and Brand Products in People With Epilepsy: Chronic-Dose 4-Period Replicate Design (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- lamotrigine (brand Lamictal) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- lamotrigine (brand Lamictal) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Maryland, Baltimore portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about lamotrigine (brand Lamictal)
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Related
- Drug class: All Anticonvulsant / Mood stabilizer drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Voltage-gated sodium channels; glutamate release inhibition
- Manufacturer: University of Maryland, Baltimore — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Neurology / Psychiatry
- Indication: Drugs for Epilepsy (partial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)
- Indication: Drugs for Bipolar I disorder maintenance treatment (depression prevention)
- Indication: Drugs for Off-label: bipolar depression, neuropathic pain
- Also known as: Lamictal
- Compare: lamotrigine (brand Lamictal) vs similar drugs
- Pricing: lamotrigine (brand Lamictal) cost, discount & access