Lamotrigine | Laboratory research

General Information

Anticonvulsants are medications used to treat epilepsy, with different groups of them used to treat different types of seizures (grand mal, petit mal, absences, etc.). Anticonvulsants are also used to treat some types of neuralgia (e.g. trigeminal neuralgia).

Lamotrigine is used

• A treatment for both generalized tonic-clonic seizures and partial seizures in adults and children over 2 years of age
• As an additional medication in treatment with valproic acid, phenytoin and other drugs
• During maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder

The goal of therapeutic drug monitoring is to maintain drug concentrations in the body at therapeutic doses. Maintaining optimal drug levels in the body depends on factors such as:

• Pharmacokinetics: determines the effect of a drug on the body (dose-related effects)
• Pharmacodynamics: studies the body's effects on medication (absorption, distribution, and excretion characteristics)
• Pharmacogenetics: The genetic pattern of drug metabolism

Drug intoxication usually occurs when the drug reaches its peak plasma concentration. Symptoms of intoxication include dizziness, loss of balance, blurred or double vision, vomiting, and others.

When is the survey conducted?

• In case of violation of the dose-effect relationship
• Lack of therapeutic effect or suspicion of drug intoxication
• Difficulties in confirming clinical effect
• Narrow therapeutic range