lamictal for bipolar and pregnancy
Lamictal, or lamotrigine, is an anticonvulsant drug that has been prescribed to treat epileptic seizures for about 10 years. In addition to its stabilizing effects mood, Lamictal has antidepressant effects and have been prescribed for bipolar or manic depressive patients. Some researchers have suggested that Lamictal be the first medication prescribed for bipolar disorder patients suffering from depressed versions of the disease. Often antidepressants prescribed for bipolar disorder will trigger manic phases, increasing the rate of healthy mood swings, Lamictal but apparently lacked the same effect.
As anti-epileptic drugs, Lamictal is considered broad spectrum. This means that effectively treats both partial-onset and generalized onset epilepsy. It is believed that doing this by inhibiting sodium channels and reducing glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter) release. Lamictal tablets are available in many sizes and doses, with small tablets for children.
Lamictal has a serious side effect that is shaped like an allergy. The drug can cause very serious skin rash, in its worst forms, results in death. When Lamictal was first prescribed 10% of patients were receiving this severe rash, which is a terrible kind negative reaction. However, doctors soon found that the likelihood of this allergic reaction decreases the longer the medicine is in use. By starting with a very low dose of Lamictal and progressively increasing the dose to an effective level, patients can grow acclimated to the drug and in doing so avoid the rash.
Apart from this eruption, the drug appears to have few side effects. A few patients have complained of swelling of the ankles, and some, the drug simply did not work. No weight problems have been described, which is unique among antidepressant drugs. The effects of Lamictal during pregnancy have been studied, and the drug is transmitted through breast milk. Nobody knows the damage to infants exposed to medication, so Lamictal should not used during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Patients on Lamictal should not breastfeed.
If you or a loved one has suffered negative side effects Lamictal and feel that they were not properly warned about these dangers, contact a lawyer today to discuss your options and possibly participate in a demand for improve the packaging and warnings about side effects of Lamictal.
To find out why you need a Lamictal lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Lamictal side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.
If you have any questions or concerns about filing a Lamictal lawsuit, please contact a professional Lamictal attorney right away!
