Human Safety of Lamotrigine

Abstract

The clinical safety of lamotrigine (LTG), assessed in four completed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trials and an interim analysis of 27 12-month open studies, is discussed. LTG was added to existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) of adult patients with refractory epilepsy, using a twice-daily regimen. In the pooled data from the four double-blind studies (n = 92), the incidence of adverse experiences with LTG and placebo did not differ significantly. Two patients were withdrawn on LTG due to adverse experiences (one rash, one nausea and vomiting). In the open studies (pooled data; n = 572) the most commonly reported adverse experiences were dizziness, diplopia, somnolence, headache, ataxia, and asthenia (10-14% incidence). Forty-nine patients (8.6%) were withdrawn with adverse events, most commonly for rash (2.3%). No patients were withdrawn from any of the studies with physical, neurological, or ECG abnormalities thought attributable to LTG treatment. Laboratory measures, vital signs, and weight did not show any consistent changes of clinical significance, and no significant changes in plasma concentrations of concomitant AEDs after the addition of LTG were observed.