Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient
Lamotrigina Pharma Combix 25 mg Chewable and Dispersible Tablets EFG
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Contents of the pack
Lamotrigina belongs to a group of medicines called antiepileptics. It can be used for the treatment of two conditions: epilepsyand bipolar disorder.
Lamotrigina is used for the treatment of epilepsybecause it blocks the signals in the brain that trigger epileptic seizures (attacks).
Lamotrigina is also used for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder (previously called manic-depressive disorder) have extreme mood swings, with periods of mania (excitement or euphoria) alternating with periods of depression (deep sadness or despair). In adults aged 18 years and over, lamotrigina can be used to prevent the periods of depression that occur in bipolar disorder, either on its own or in combination with other medicines. It is not known how lamotrigina works in the brain to have this effect.
Do not takeLamotrigina Pharma Combix
If this applies to you:
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking Lamotrigina Pharma Combix:
If this applies to you:
Important information about potentially life-threatening reactions
A small number of people taking lamotrigina have allergic reactions or skin reactions that can be life-threatening, which can lead to more serious problems if not treated. These reactions can include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) 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. This risk may be associated with a genetic variant in people of Asian origin (mainly Chinese Han and Thai). If you are of such origin and have been detected with this genetic variant (HLA-B* 1502), talk to your doctor before taking lamotrigina.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
There have been reports of a rare but very serious reaction of the immune system in patients taking lamotrigina.
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Antiepileptic medicines are used to treat different 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:
If you have thoughts or experiences that worry you, or if you notice that you feel worse or develop new symptoms while taking lamotrigina:
It may be helpful for you to tell a family member, caregiver, or close friend that you are taking lamotrigina and ask them to read this leaflet.You can ask them to tell you if they are worried about your depression or other changes in your behavior.
A small number of people who have taken antiepileptics, including lamotrigina, have also had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you ever have these thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.
If you are taking lamotrigina for epilepsy
Seizures in some types of epilepsy may occasionally worsen or occur more often while you are taking lamotrigina. Some patients may experience severe seizures, which can cause serious health problems. If seizures occur more often or if you experience severe seizures while taking lamotrigina:
Lamotrigina must not be givento children under 18 years for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Medicines for the treatment of depression and other mental health problems increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents under 18 years.
Other medicines and Lamotrigina Pharma Combix
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, including herbal medicines or other medicines that you have bought without a prescription.
Your doctor needs to know if you are taking other medicines to treat epilepsy or mental health problems. This is to make sure you take the correct dose of lamotrigina. These medicines include:
Some medicines interact with lamotrigina or make it more likely that you will have side effects. These include:
Hormonal contraceptives (such as the pill) can affect how lamotrigina works.
Your doctor may recommend that you use a specific hormonal contraceptive, or that you use a different method of contraception, such as condoms, diaphragm, or IUD. If you are taking a hormonal contraceptive, such as the pill, your doctor may do a blood test to check the levels of lamotrigina. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive or plan to use one:
Lamotrigina can also affect how hormonal contraceptives work, although this is unlikely to reduce their effectiveness. If you are using a hormonal contraceptive and you notice changes in your menstrual cycle, such as breakthrough bleeding or spotting:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Driving and using machines
Lamotrigina can cause symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, or changes in vision, and can affect your ability to react. These effects, as well as the condition itself, can make it difficult for you to drive vehicles or operate machinery. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in other activities that require special attention until your doctor has assessed your response to this medicine.
If you have epilepsy, ask your doctor about the possibility of driving or using machines.
Lamotrigina Pharma Combix contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; this is, essentially “sodium-free”.
Follow exactly the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist again.
What dose of lamotrigina to take
It may take some time to find the dose of lamotrigina that is right for you. The dose you should take will depend on:
Your doctor will prescribe a low dose to start with and will gradually increase the dose over a few weeks until you reach the dose that is right for you (called the effective dose). Never take more lamotrigina than your doctor has told you to take.
Normally, the effective dose of lamotrigina for adults and children aged 13 years and over is between 100 mg and 400 mg per day.
For children between 2 and 12 years of age, the effective dose depends on their body weight, normally between 1 mg and 15 mg per kilogram of body weight, up to a maximum maintenance dose of 200 mg per day.
Lamotrigina is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
How to take your dose of lamotrigina
Take your dose of lamotrigina once or twice a day, as advised by your doctor. They can be taken with or without food.
Your doctor may advise you to start or stop taking other medicines, depending on the condition you are being treated for and how you respond to treatment.
The chewable and dispersible tablets of lamotrigina can be swallowed whole with a little water, chewed, or added to water to dissolve them. Never take only part of the liquid.
Chewing the tablet
You may need to drink a little water to help the tablet dissolve in your mouth. After swallowing, drink a little more water to make sure you have taken all the medicine.
To dissolve the medicine
If you take more Lamotrigina Pharma Combix than you should
If you take more lamotrigina than you should, you may be more likely to have serious side effects that can be fatal.
Someone who has taken too much lamotrigina may have some of these symptoms:
If you forget to take Lamotrigina Pharma Combix
If you forget to take a dose of lamotrigina
If you forget to take multiple doses of lamotrigina
If you stop taking Lamotrigina Pharma Combix
Do not stop taking lamotrigina without your doctor’s advice.
You should take lamotrigina for as long as your doctor recommends. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to.
If you are taking lamotrigina for epilepsy
To stop taking lamotrigina, it is important that the dose is gradually reduced, over approximately 2 weeks. If you stop taking lamotrigina suddenly, you may start having seizures again or your condition may get worse.
If you are taking lamotrigina for bipolar disorder
Lamotrigina may take some time to work, so it is unlikely that you will feel better immediately. If you stop taking lamotrigina, you do not need to reduce your dose gradually. However, before stopping treatment with lamotrigina, you should talk to your doctor.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.
Reactions that can potentially threaten life: consult your doctor immediately.
A small number of people taking lamotrigine have allergic reactions or skin reactions that can potentially threaten their life, which can lead to more serious problems if left untreated.
It is more likely that these symptoms will appear during the first few months of treatment with lamotrigine, especially if the initial dose is very high or if the dose increase is very rapid, or if you are taking lamotrigine with another medicine called valproate. Some of these symptoms are more frequent in children, so parents should pay special attention to them.
The symptoms of these reactions include:
In many cases, these symptoms can be signs of less serious adverse effects. However, you should be aware that they can potentially threaten life and can lead to more serious problems,such as organ failure, if left untreated. If you notice any of these symptoms:
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)(see section 2. What you need to know before taking Lamotrigina Pharma Combix).
Very Common Adverse Effects
These affect more than 1 in 10people:
Common Adverse Effects
These affect up to 1 in 10people:
Uncommon Adverse Effects
These can affect up to 1 in 100people:
Rare Adverse Effects
These affect up to 1 in 1,000people:
This can be caused by inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). These symptoms usually disappear when treatment is stopped. However, if the symptoms continue or worsen, contact your doctor.
Very Rare Adverse Effects
These affect up to 1 in 10,000people:
Other Adverse Effects
Other adverse effects have occurred in a small number of people, but their exact frequency is unknown:
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are possible adverse effects that are not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiration date stated on the packaging and blister after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
This medicine does not require special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medicines you no longer need at the SIGRE Point in the pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Lamotrigina Pharma Combix 25 mg
Appearance and Package Contents
Chewable and dispersible tablets are round, flat, white or off-white, slightly speckled, and have a blackcurrant flavor. The tablets are marked with "25" on one side and are smooth on the other side, with a diameter of approximately 5.2 mm.
Lamotrigina Pharma Combix 25 mg is available in PVC/PVDC-Aluminum blisters containing 21, 42, or 56 tablets.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Laboratorios Combix, S.L.U.
C/ Badajoz 2, Edificio 2
28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid)
Spain
Manufacturer
Zydus France
ZAC Les Hautes Patures
Parc d'activités des Peupliers
25 Rue des Peupliers
92000 Nanterre
France
or
Centre Specialites Pharmaceutiques
Z.A.C. des Suzots
35 Rue de la Chapelle
63450 Saint Amant Tallende
France
or
Netpharmalab Consulting Services
Carretera de Fuencarral 22,
Alcobendas,
28108 Madrid
Spain
or
Flavine Pharma France
3 Voie d’Allemagne
13127 Vitrolles
France
or
Misom Labs Ltd.
Malta Life Sciences Park
LS2.01.06
Industrial Estate
San Gwann, SGN 3000
Malta
Date of Last Revision of this Leaflet:March 2024
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/ (http://www.aemps.gob.es/).