Lamotrigine Aurovitas 100 mg chewable/dispersible tablets EFG
Spain
Table of Contents
- Package leaflet: Information for the user
- Introduction
- 1. What Lamotrigina Aurovitas is and what it is used for
- 2. What you need to know before taking Lamotrigina Aurovitas
- 3. How to take Lamotrigine Aurovitas
- 4. Possible adverse effects
- 5. Storage of Lamotrigine Aurovitas
- 6. Package contents and other information
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Introduction
Package leaflet: information for the patient
Lamotrigina Aurovitas 100 mg chewable/dispersible tablets EFG
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
- If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only, and you should not give it to other people even if they have the same symptoms as you, because it may harm them.
- If you experience any adverse reactions, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are adverse reactions not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Contents of the leaflet
- What Lamotrigina Aurovitas is and what it is used for
- What you need to know before taking Lamotrigina Aurovitas
- How to take Lamotrigina Aurovitas
- Possible adverse effects
- How to store Lamotrigina Aurovitas
- Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Lamotrigina Aurovitas is and what it is used for
Lamotrigine belongs to a group of medicines called antiepileptics. It can be used to treat two conditions: epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
Lamotrigine is used to treat epilepsy because it blocks signals in the brain that trigger epileptic seizures (attacks).
- In adults and children aged 13 years and older, lamotrigine can be used alone or in combination with other antiepileptic medicines. It can also be used together with other medicines to treat seizures associated with a condition called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
- In children between 2 and 12 years of age, lamotrigine can be used in combination with other medicines to treat the same conditions. It may also be used alone to treat a type of epilepsy known as typical absence seizures.
Lamotrigine is also used to treat bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder (previously known as manic-depressive illness) experience extreme mood swings, with episodes of mania (excitement or euphoria) alternating with episodes of depression (deep sadness or despair). In adults aged 18 years and older, lamotrigine can be used to prevent depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder, either alone or in combination with other medicines. The exact way in which lamotrigine works in the brain to produce this effect is not known.
2. What you need to know before taking Lamotrigina Aurovitas
Do not take Lamotrigina Aurovitas:
- if you are allergic to lamotrigine or to any of the other components of this medicine (listed in section 6).
If this applies to you:
?Inform your doctor and do not take Lamotrigina Aurovitas.
Warnings and precautions
Take special care with Lamotrigina Aurovitas
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting Lamotrigina Aurovitas:
- If you have any kidney problems.
- If you have ever developed a skin rash after taking lamotrigine or other medicines for bipolar disorder or epilepsy.
- If you develop skin rashes or sunburn after taking lamotrigine and being exposed to sunlight or artificial light (e.g., in a tanning bed). Your doctor will review your treatment and may advise you to avoid sunlight or protect yourself from the sun (e.g., by using sunscreen and/or protective clothing).
- If you have ever had meningitis after taking lamotrigine (see description of these symptoms in section 4 of this leaflet: Rare adverse effects).
- If you are already taking medicines containing lamotrigine.
- If you have a condition called Brugada syndrome or other heart problems. Brugada syndrome is a genetic disease causing abnormal electrical activity in the heart. Lamotrigine may lead to abnormalities in the electrocardiogram (ECG) that could cause arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm).
If this applies to you:
?Inform your doctor, who will decide whether to reduce your dose or determine that lamotrigine is not suitable for you.
Important information about potentially life-threatening reactions
A small number of people taking lamotrigine may experience allergic reactions or skin reactions that could potentially be life-threatening, which may lead to more serious problems if not treated. These reactions may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). You need to be aware of the symptoms of these reactions and monitor for them while taking lamotrigine. This risk may be associated with a genetic variant in people of Asian origin (mainly Han Chinese and Thai). If you are of such origin and have been found to carry this genetic variant (HLA-B*1502), speak with your doctor before taking lamotrigine.
?Read the description of these symptoms in section 4 of this leaflet “Potentially life-threatening reactions: consult your doctor immediately”.
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
Cases of a rare but very serious immune system reaction have been reported in patients taking lamotrigine.
?Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking lamotrigine: fever, rash, neurological symptoms (e.g., spasms or tremor, confusion, changes in brain function).
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Antiepileptic drugs are used to treat various conditions, including epilepsy and bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder may sometimes have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you have bipolar disorder, you may be more likely to have these thoughts in the following situations:
- When starting treatment.
- If you have previously had thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
- If you are under 25 years of age.
If you have worrying thoughts or experiences, or if you notice that you feel worse or develop new symptoms while being treated with lamotrigine:
?Consult your doctor as soon as possible or go to the nearest hospital.
It may be helpful for you to inform a family member, caregiver, or close friend that you may become depressed or experience significant mood changes, and ask them to read this leaflet. You may ask them to tell you if they are concerned about your depression or other changes in your behaviour.
A small number of people treated with antiepileptic drugs such as lamotrigine have also had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If at any time you have such thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.
If you are taking Lamotrigina Aurovitas for epilepsy
Seizures in some types of epilepsy may occasionally worsen or occur more frequently while taking lamotrigine. Some patients may experience severe seizures, which can cause serious health problems. If seizures occur more frequently or if you experience severe seizures while taking lamotrigine:
?Seek medical attention immediately.
Lamotrigine must not be given to children under 18 years of age for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Medicines indicated for the treatment of depression and other mental health problems increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Other medicines and Lamotrigina Aurovitas
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines, including herbal remedies or other medicines obtained without a prescription.
Your doctor needs to know if you are taking other medicines for epilepsy or mental health conditions. This is to ensure you receive the correct dose of lamotrigine. These medicines include:
- Oxcarbazepine, felbamate, gabapentin, levetiracetam, pregabalin, topiramate, or zonisamide, used to treat epilepsy.
- Lithium, olanzapine, or aripiprazole, used to treat mental health conditions.
- Bupropion, used to treat mental health conditions or to quit smoking.
- Paracetamol, used to treat pain and fever.
?Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines.
Some medicines interact with lamotrigine or make it more likely for people to experience adverse effects. These include:
- Valproate, used to treat epilepsy and mental health conditions.
- Carbamazepine, used to treat epilepsy and mental health conditions.
- Phenytoin, primidone, or phenobarbital, used to treat epilepsy.
- Risperidone, used to treat mental health conditions.
- Rifampicin, which is an antibiotic.
- Medicines used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection (a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir or atazanavir and ritonavir).
- Hormonal contraceptives, such as the contraceptive pill (see below).
?Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines, or if you start or stop taking any of them.
Hormonal contraceptives (such as the contraceptive pill) may affect how lamotrigine works.
Your doctor may recommend that you use a specific hormonal contraceptive or use another contraceptive method, such as condoms, diaphragm, or intrauterine device (IUD). If you are taking a hormonal contraceptive such as the contraceptive pill, your doctor may perform a blood test to check your lamotrigine levels. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive or plan to start using one:
?Consult your doctor, who will advise you on the most suitable contraceptive methods for you.
Lamotrigine may also affect how hormonal contraceptives work, although it is unlikely to reduce their effectiveness. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive and notice changes in your menstrual cycle, such as intermenstrual bleeding or spotting:
?Inform your doctor. These may be signs that lamotrigine is affecting how your contraceptive works.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
?If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
- Do not stop your treatment without consulting your doctor. This is particularly important if you have epilepsy.
- Pregnancy may alter the effectiveness of lamotrigine treatment, so you may need a blood test and dose adjustment.
- If lamotrigine is taken during the first three months of pregnancy, there may be a small increased risk of birth defects, including cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
- Your doctor may advise you to take folic acid supplements if you are planning to become pregnant and also during pregnancy.
?If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. The active substance in Lamotrigina Aurovitas passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking Lamotrigina Aurovitas and will arrange periodic check-ups for your baby if you decide to breastfeed, as your baby may experience drowsiness, rash, or poor weight gain. Inform your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms in your baby.
Driving and using machines
Lamotrigine may cause dizziness and double vision.
?Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are certain you do not experience these effects.
If you have epilepsy, consult your doctor about the possibility of driving or using machines.
3. How to take Lamotrigine Aurovitas
Follow exactly the instructions for administering this medicine given by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
What dose of Lamotrigine Aurovitas to take
It may take some time for your doctor to find the most appropriate lamotrigine dose for you. The dose you should take depends on:
- Your age.
- Whether you are taking lamotrigine together with other medicines.
- Whether you have any liver or kidney problems.
Your doctor will initially prescribe a low dose and gradually increase it over several weeks until reaching the most appropriate dose for you (called the effective dose). Never take more lamotrigine than your doctor has prescribed.
Normally, the effective dose of lamotrigine for adults and children aged 13 years and older ranges between 100 mg and 400 mg per day.
For children between 2 and 12 years of age, the effective dose depends on body weight, usually between 1 mg and 15 mg per kilogram of body weight, up to a maximum maintenance dose of 200 mg per day.
The use of lamotrigine is not recommended in children under 2 years of age.
How to take your dose of Lamotrigine Aurovitas
Take your lamotrigine dose once or twice daily, as advised by your doctor. It may be taken with or without food.
- Always take the full dose prescribed by your doctor. Never take only part of a tablet.
Your doctor may advise you to start or stop taking other medicines, depending on the condition being treated and your response to treatment.
Lamotrigine orodispersible tablets may be swallowed whole with a little water, chewed, or dissolved in water. Never take only part of the liquid.
Chewing the tablet:
When chewing the tablet, you may need to drink a little water to help dissolve it in your mouth. After swallowing, drink a little more water to ensure you have taken all the medicine.
To dissolve the medicine:
- Place the tablet in a glass containing enough water to cover the entire tablet.
- Shake to dissolve or wait until the tablet is completely dissolved.
- Drink all the liquid.
- Add a little more water to the glass and drink it to ensure no medicine remains in the glass.
If you take more Lamotrigine Aurovitas than you should
? In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or call the Toxicology Information Service at telephone number: 91 562 04 20, stating the medicine and the amount ingested.
If you take more Lamotrigine Aurovitas than you should, you may be more likely to experience serious adverse effects, which may be fatal.
Someone who has taken too much lamotrigine may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Rapid, uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus).
- Clumsiness and loss of coordination, affecting balance (ataxia).
- Changes in heart rhythm (usually detected by ECG).
- Loss of consciousness, seizures, or coma.
If you forget to take a dose of Lamotrigine Aurovitas
?Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses. Take the next dose at your usual time.
If you forget to take multiple doses of Lamotrigine Aurovitas
?Ask your doctor for advice on how to restart treatment. It is important that you do so.
Do not stop taking Lamotrigine Aurovitas without your doctor's advice
You should take lamotrigine for as long as your doctor recommends. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to do so.
If you are taking Lamotrigine Aurovitas for the treatment of epilepsy
To stop taking lamotrigine, it is important that the dose is gradually reduced over approximately 2 weeks. If you stop taking lamotrigine suddenly, your epilepsy symptoms may return or your condition may worsen.
If you are taking Lamotrigine Aurovitas for bipolar disorder
Lamotrigine may take some time to work, so it is unlikely you will feel better immediately. If you stop taking lamotrigine, you do not need to gradually reduce your dose. However, you should still consult your doctor before stopping treatment with lamotrigine.
4. Possible adverse effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Reactions that may potentially be life-threatening: consult your doctor immediately.
A small number of people taking lamotrigine may experience allergic reactions or skin reactions that could potentially be life-threatening, which may lead to more serious problems if not treated.
These symptoms are more likely to occur during the first few months of treatment with lamotrigine, especially if the initial dose is too high, the dose is increased too quickly, or if you are taking lamotrigine together with another medicine called valproate. Some of these symptoms are more common in children, so parents should pay special attention.
Symptoms of these reactions include:
- Skin rash or redness, which may lead to skin reactions that can be severe or, in some cases, potentially fatal, including rash with target-like lesions (erythema multiforme), widespread rash with blistering and peeling of the skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), extensive peeling of the skin (more than 30% of body surface – toxic epidermal necrolysis), or widespread rash with involvement of the liver, blood, and other body organs (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, also known as hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS)).
- Ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, or genitals.
- Pain in the mouth or red, swollen eyes (conjunctivitis).
- High temperature (fever), flu-like symptoms, or drowsiness (stupor).
- Swelling around the face, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin.
- Unexpected bleeding or bruising, or fingers turning blue.
- Sore throat or increased susceptibility to infections (such as colds).
- Increased levels of liver enzymes in blood tests.
- Increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophils).
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Involvement of body organs including the liver and kidneys.
In many cases, these symptoms may be signs of less serious adverse effects. However, you should be aware that they may potentially be life-threatening and could lead to more serious complications, such as organ failure, if left untreated. If you notice any of these symptoms:
?Contact a doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide whether tests are needed to assess liver, kidney, or blood function, and may advise you to stop taking lamotrigine. If you have developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, your doctor will instruct you never to take lamotrigine again.
Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (see section 2. What you need to know before taking Lamotrigine Aurovitas).
Very common adverse effects
These affect more than 1 in 10 people:
- Headache.
- Skin rash.
Common adverse effects
These affect up to 1 in 10 people:
- Aggression or irritability.
- Drowsiness or feeling sleepy.
- Dizziness.
- Spasms or tremors.
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
- Feeling restless.
- Diarrhoea.
- Dry mouth.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Feeling tired.
- Pain in the back, joints, or other areas.
Uncommon adverse effects
These may affect up to 1 in 100 people:
- Clumsiness and loss of coordination (ataxia).
- Double vision or blurred vision.
- Decreased hair mass or unusual hair loss (alopecia).
- Skin rash or sunburn after exposure to sunlight or artificial light (photosensitivity).
Rare adverse effects
These affect up to 1 in 1,000 people:
- Skin reaction characterized by concentric red spots on the skin, which may look like a "target"; that is, a dark red center surrounded by paler red rings (erythema multiforme).
- A skin reaction that may be life-threatening (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) (see also information at the beginning of section 4).
- A group of symptoms including: fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, neck stiffness, and extreme sensitivity to bright light. This may be caused by inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). These symptoms usually resolve when treatment is stopped. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, contact your doctor.
- Rapid, uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus).
- Itchy eyes with discharge and crusts on the eyelids (conjunctivitis).
Very rare adverse effects
These affect up to 1 in 10,000 people:
- A skin reaction that may be life-threatening (toxic epidermal necrolysis) (see also information at the beginning of section 4).
- Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) (see also information at the beginning of section 4).
- High temperature (fever) (see also information at the beginning of section 4).
- Swelling around the face (edema) or swollen glands in the neck, groin, or armpits (lymphadenopathy) (see also information at the beginning of section 4).
- Changes in liver function, which may be seen in blood tests, or liver failure (see also information at the beginning of section 4).
- Serious blood clotting disorder, which may cause bleeding or unexpected bruising (disseminated intravascular coagulation) (see also information at the beginning of section 4).
- Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (see section 2. What you need to know before taking Lamotrigine Aurovitas).
- Changes that may be observed in blood tests, including reduced number of red blood cells (anaemia), reduced number of white blood cells (leucopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis), reduced number of platelets (thrombocytopenia), reduced number of all types of blood cells (pancytopenia), and a bone marrow disorder called aplastic anaemia.
- Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not really there).
- Confusion.
- Feeling unsteady or unstable when moving.
- Repetitive body movements and/or uncontrollable sounds or words (tics), uncontrolled muscle spasms affecting the eyes, head, and torso (choreoathetosis), or other unusual movements such as jerking, spasms, or stiffness.
- In people with epilepsy, more frequent seizures.
- In people with Parkinson's disease, worsening of symptoms.
- Lupus-like reaction (symptoms may include back or joint pain, sometimes accompanied by fever and/or general illness).
Other adverse effects
Other adverse effects have been reported in a small number of people, but their exact frequency is unknown:
- Bone disorders including osteopenia and osteoporosis (reduced bone density) and fractures have been reported. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken antiepileptic medicines for a long time, if you have a history of osteoporosis, or if you are taking steroids.
- Inflammation of the kidney (tubulointerstitial nephritis) or inflammation of the kidney and eye (acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome).
- Nightmares.
- Reduced immunity due to decreased levels of antibodies called immunoglobulins in the blood, which help protect against infection.
- Red nodules or spots on the skin (pseudolymphoma).
Reporting of adverse effects
If you experience any adverse effect, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly via the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Medicines: https://www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. Storage of Lamotrigine Aurovitas
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the container. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Medicines must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of unused medicines and their containers at a pharmacy’s SIGRE point. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines and containers you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
6. Package contents and other information
Composition of Lamotrigine Aurovitas
-
The active substance is lamotrigine. Each chewable/dispersible tablet contains 100 mg of lamotrigine.
-
The other components are: microcrystalline cellulose, heavy magnesium carbonate, potassium polacrilin, sucralose, povidone (K30), magnesium stearate, blackcurrant flavour (maltodextrin, artificial flavours, triacetin, benzyl alcohol, acetic acid, caramel colour).
Appearance of the medicine and contents of the pack
Chewable/dispersible tablet.
Uncoated square-shaped tablets with rounded edges, white to off-white in colour, marked with an "H" on the polyhedral face and the number "78" on the flat face.
PVC/Aclar/Aluminum blister packs
Packs containing 56 chewable/dispersible tablets.
Only certain pack sizes may be commercially available.
Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorization Holder:
Aurovitas Spain, S.A.U.
Avda. de Burgos, 16-D
28036 Madrid
Spain
Manufacturer:
APL Swift Services (Malta) Limited
HF26, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Hal Far
Birzebbugia, BBG 3000
Malta
Date of the most recent revision of this leaflet: April 2025
Detailed information about this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es)