Lamictal Uses

Lamictal uses are primarily concerned with treating bipolar disorder and epilepsy. In the case of bipolar disorder, the drug is used for "maintenance" treatment, meaning it helps people with the condition keep their moods stable, but is not the most appropriate medication for treating episodes of mania or depression. Off-label Lamictal uses include treatment of absence seizures (also known as petit mal seizures).

Lamictal Uses: An Overview

Lamictal^® (lamotrigine) is a prescription medication used to treat seizures in people with epilepsy. It is also used as a mood stabilizer to treat bipolar disorder.

Lamictal Uses for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a serious mental illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. Currently, it is thought that bipolar disorder may be at least partially genetic (see Bipolar Causes). Between episodes, most people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms (see Bipolar Disorder Symptoms). Effective bipolar disorder treatment usually involves a combination of psychotherapy (see Bipolar Psychosocial Treatments) and bipolar medications.

Lamictal is approved for "maintenance" treatment of bipolar disorder. This means that it is approved to help people with the condition keep their moods stable and to prevent episodes of mania and depression. It is not approved to treat these episodes themselves -- other medications may be more appropriate for treating acute episodes of mania or depression.

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