Package Insert: Information for the User
LamotrigineCombix100 mg Dispersible/Masticable Tablets EFG
Read this package insert carefully before starting to take the medication.
1.What is Lamotrigine Combix and for what it is used
2.Before taking Lamotrigine Combix
3.How to take Lamotrigine Combix
4.Possible adverse effects
5Storage of Lamotrigine Combix
6.Additional information
Lamotrigina Combix belongs to a group of medications calledantiepilepticdrugs. It can be used to treat two diseases: epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
Lamotrigina Combix is used to treat epilepsy becauseit blocks the signals in the brain that trigger seizures (convulsions).
Lamotrigina Combix is also used to treat bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder (previously known as manic-depressive disorder) experience extreme mood swings, with periods of mania (excitement or euphoria) alternating with periods of depression (deep sadness or desperation). In adults 18 years of age and older, Lamotrigina Combix can be used, to prevent the periods of depression that occur in bipolar disorder either alone or in combination with other medications. The exact mechanism of action of lamotrigina in the brain is not known.
Do not take Lamotrigina Combix:
If this is your case:
?Inform your doctor, and do not take Lamotrigina Combix.
Be especially careful with Lamotrigina Combix
Your doctor needs to know before taking Lamotrigina Combix:
If this is your case:
?Inform your doctor, who will decide to reduce your dose or determine that Lamotrigina Combix is not suitable for you.
Important information about potentially life-threatening reactions
A small number of people taking Lamotrigina Combix have had allergic reactions or skin reactions that can be life-threatening and may lead to more serious problems if not treated. These reactions may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SSJ), toxic epidermal necrolysis (NET), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
You need to know the symptoms of these reactions and be aware of them while taking Lamotrigina Combix. This risk may be associated with a genetic variant in people of Asian origin (mainly Chinese Han and Thai). If you are of this origin and have been detected with this genetic variant (HLA-B* 1502), talk to your doctor before taking Lamotrigina Combix.
Be aware of the symptoms
Ask your doctor immediatelyif after starting to take Lamotrigina Combix you experience any of the following symptoms:
These symptoms are more likely to occur during the first few months of treatment with Lamotrigina Combix, especially if you start treatment with a high dose or if your dose is increased too quickly; they are also more likely to occur if you are taking Lamotrigina Combix with another medication calledvalproate.Children are more likely than adults to experience these adverse effects.
If the symptoms listed above are not treated, they may become more serious problems, such as organ failure (organ failure) or a severe skin disease.
If you notice any of these symptoms:
?Go to a doctor immediately. Your doctor will decide if you need to undergo tests to assess the function of the liver, kidneys, or blood, and may advise you to stop taking Lamotrigina Combix.
Suicidal thoughts or ideas
Antiepileptic drugs are used to treat various conditions, including epilepsy and bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder may have had suicidal thoughts or ideas at some point. If you have bipolar disorder, you may be more likely to have these thoughts in the following situations:
If you have concerning thoughts or experiences, or if you notice that you feel worse or develop new symptoms while taking Lamotrigina Combix:
?Consult your doctor as soon as possible or go to the nearest hospital.
A small number of people who have been treated with antiepileptic drugs like lamotrigine have also had suicidal thoughts or ideas. If you ever have these thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.
If you are taking Lamotrigina Combix for epilepsy
In some types of epilepsy, during treatment with lamotrigine, seizures may worsen or occur more frequently. Some patients may experience severe seizures that can cause serious health problems. If you notice that you have more seizures or experience severe seizures while taking Lamotrigina Combix:
?Go to a doctor immediately.
Brugada syndrome
Brugada syndrome is a genetic disease that causes abnormal heart electrical activity. Lamotrigine may cause abnormalities in the electrocardiogram (ECG) that can lead to arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm). Consult your doctor if you have this disease.
Lymphohistiocytosis hemophagocytic (LHH)
Cases of a rare but severe 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 tremors, confusion, cerebral dysfunction).
Lamotrigina Combix should not be administered to children under 18 years old for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Medications used to treat depression and other mental health problems increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents under 18 years old.
Use of other medications
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or have recently used other medications, including those purchased without a prescription or herbal remedies.
If you are using certain medications, your doctor may need to check the dose of Lamotrigina Combix. These include:
?Inform your doctorif you are using any of these medications.
Some medications interact with Lamotrigina Combix or make adverse effects more likely. These include:
?Inform your doctorif you are using, or if you start or stop using, any of these medications.
Hormonal Contraceptives (such as the Pill) may affect the way Lamotrigina Combix works
Your doctor may recommend a specific hormonal contraceptive or suggest using a different method of contraception, such as condoms, diaphragm, or IUD. If you are taking a hormonal contraceptive like the Pill, your doctor may ask you to have blood tests to check the levels of lamotrigine, and adjust your dose accordingly. If you are thinking of starting to use a hormonal contraceptive:
?Inform your doctor, as they will advise you on the most suitable methods of contraception for you.
Lamotrigine may modify the way hormonal contraceptives work, although it is unlikely to reduce their effectiveness. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive and experience changes in your menstrual cycle, such as intermenstrual bleeding or spotting between periods:
?Inform your doctor. These may be signs that Lamotrigine is affecting the way your contraceptive works.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
?Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, if you may be pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant.
You should not stop treatment for epilepsy while pregnant. However, there is a higher risk of birth defects in newborns whose mothers took lamotrigine during pregnancy. These defects include cleft lip or palate. Your doctor may advise you to take folic acid supplements if you are planning to become pregnant and also during pregnancy.
Pregnancy may modify the effectiveness of Lamotrigina Combix treatment, so your doctor may ask you to have blood tests to check the levels of lamotrigine, and adjust your dose accordingly.
?If you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication. The active ingredient of Lamotrigina Combixpasses into breast milk and may affect your baby. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking lamotrigine and will perform regular checks on your baby if you decide to start breastfeeding, 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
Lamotrigina Combix may cause dizziness and double vision.
?Do not drive or use machines until you are sure you do not feel these effects.
If you have epilepsy, consult your doctor about the possibility of driving or using machines.
Follow exactly the administration instructions for Lamotrigina Combix as indicated by your doctor. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts.
What dose of Lamotrigina Combix to take
It may take some time for your doctor to find the appropriate dose of Lamotrigina Combix for you. The dose you should take will depend on:
Your doctor will ask you to start treatment with a low dose, and gradually increase the dose until you reach the most appropriate dose for you (called the effective dose).Do not take more Lamotrigina Combix than your doctor has prescribed.
Normally, the effective dose of Lamotrigina Combix for adults and children over 12 years old is between 100 mg and 400 mg per day.
For children between 2 and 12 years old, the effective dose depends on their body weight, usually between 1 mg and 15 mg per kilogram of the child's weight, up to a maximum of 400 mg per day.
How to take the dose of Lamotrigina Combix
Take your dose of Lamotrigina Combix once or twice a day, as advised by your doctor. You can take it with or without food.
Your doctor may advise you to start or stop taking other medications, depending on the conditions you are being treated for and how you respond to treatment.
Take the dispersible/masticable tablets of Lamotrigina Combix by swallowing them whole with a little water, or by dissolving them in water:
If you chew the tablet:
You may need to drink a little water to help the tablet dissolve in your mouth. After swallowing it, drink a little more water to make sure you have taken the entire medication.
To dissolve the medication (make a liquid medication):
If you take more Lamotrigina Combix than you should
If someone takes too much Lamotrigina Combix :
Someone who takes too much Lamotrigina Combix may have some of these symptoms:
If you forget to take Lamotrigina Combix
Do not take an extra tablet or a double dose to make up for the missed doses.
If you have not taken a dose of Lamotrigina Combix :
?Ask your doctor to explain how to start treatment again. It is important that you do this.
Do not stop taking Lamotrigina Combix without your doctor's advice
You must take Lamotrigina Combix for as long as your doctor recommends. Do not stop treatment until your doctor tells you to.
If you are taking Lamotrigina Combix for epilepsy treatment
To stop taking Lamotrigina Combix,it is important to gradually reduce the dose over approximately 2 weeks. If you stop taking Lamotrigina Combix suddenly, you may experience a relapse of epilepsy symptoms or the condition may worsen.
If you are taking Lamotrigina Combix for bipolar disorder
Lamotrigina Combix may take some time to act, so it is unlikely that you will feel better immediately. To stop taking Lamotrigina Combix, you do not need to reduce the dose gradually. However, before interrupting treatment with Lamotrigina Combix, you should consult with your doctor.
Like all medicines, Lamotrigine Combix can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Severe allergic reactions or skin reactions: consult your doctor immediately.
A reduced number of people taking lamotrigine experience severe allergic reactions or skin reactions. If left untreated, these reactions can worsen and even be fatal. Symptoms of these reactions include:
In many cases, these symptoms can be signs of less severe side effects.However, you should be aware that they can be potentially severe - if you experience any of these symptoms:
?Seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor will decide whether to perform tests to assess liver, kidney, or blood function and may also advise you to discontinue treatment with Lamotrigine Combix.
Very common side effects
These affect more than 1 in 10 people:
Common side effects
These affect up to 1 in 10 people:
Rare side effects
These affect up to 1 in 100 people:
Rare side effects
These affect up to 1 in 1,000 people:
Very rare side effects
These affect up to 1 in 10,000 people:
Other side effects
Reporting side effects:
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use:https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Do not use Lamotrigina Combix after the expiration date that appears on the packaging and in the blister, after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Do not store at a temperature above30°C.
Medicines should not be thrown into the drains or trash. Dispose of the packaging and medicines you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point of the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines you no longer need. By doing so, you will help protect the environment.
Composition of Lamotrigina Combix Dispersible/Masticable Tablets
The active ingredient is lamotrigine. Each dispersible/masticable tablet contains 100 mg of lamotrigine.
The other components are:Heavy magnesium carbonate (E504), microcrystalline cellulose (E460), povidone (E1201), low-substitution hydroxypropyl cellulose (E463), sodium saccharin (E954), crospovidone (E1202), microcrystalline cellulose (E460), guar gum (E412), blackcurrant aroma, and magnesium stearate (E470b).
Appearance of the Product and Contents of the Packaging of Lamotrigina Combix 100 mg Dispersible/Masticable Tablets
Lamotrigina Combix 100 mg dispersible/masticable tablets are round, flat, white or almost white.
Each package contains a blister with 56 tablets.
Marketing Authorization Holder and Responsible Manufacturer
Marketing Authorization Holder:
Combix Laboratories, S.L.U.
C/ Badajoz 2, Edificio 2
28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid)
Spain
Responsible Manufacturer:
PharmaPath S.A.
28is Oktovriou 1,
Agia Varvara, 123 51
Greece
This leaflet has been reviewed inMarch 2024
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.