While most people don't experience any problems while taking lamotrigine, side effects can still occur. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and coordination problems. Side effects occurring in less than 5 percent of people include speech problems, neck pain, and sinus infection. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects of lamotrigine or if something "just doesn't seem right."
An Introduction to Lamotrigine Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
lamotrigine (
Lamictal®); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with lamotrigine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of lamotrigine side effects with you.)
Common Lamotrigine Side Effects
Lamotrigine has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of lamotrigine included:
- Dizziness -- in up to 54 percent of people
- Double vision -- up to 49 percent
- Headaches -- up to 29 percent
- Coordination problems -- up to 28 percent
- Blurred vision -- up to 25 percent
- Nausea -- up to 25 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 20 percent.
Other common side effects, occurring in 5 to 20 percent of people, included:
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