Archive for the ‘Anti-Epileptic’ Category
Lamictal – an efficient mystery
Lamictal is a mystery as in that it is still pretty much unknown how exactly this medication works. Some experts believe that it is sodium channel blocker, while others think otherwise. What is important is that Lamictal is a really efficient medication, used for different conditions. Due to its anticonvulsant properties, Lamictal is primarily used for treating epilepsy. When it s used for this purpose, it is employed to treat primary and secondary tonic-clonic seizures, partial seizures, as well as seizures that are caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which is one of the most severe types of epilepsy that usually affects very young children and causes certain delays in development. Furthermore, Lamictal is also used in treating bipolar disorder and it is in fact the first medication after lithium that has been approved by FDA as a mood stabilizer. It is particularly effective in treating bipolar disorder as it does not trigger rapid cycling mixed states, hypomania and mania. There are additional uses for Lamictal, such as in cases of posttraumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, depersonalization disorder, cluster headaches, peripheral neuropathy, migraines, as well as for management of neuropathic pain. As you can see, Lamictal is a versatile medication that has many potential uses.
What else do you need to know about Lamictal?
Lamictal is a prescription medication and before you start using it, your doctor needs to decide if the treatment with Lamictal is going to benefit you and will it pose any risks to your health. This includes you sharing as much as you can think of about your medical history and your current state of health. One thing that you must not fail to mention is if you are allergic to Lamictal. If you fail to mention this and your doctor prescribes this medication, you might experience allergic reactions that can be even life-threatening. If you are suffering from any kind of heart, kidney or heart disease, your doctor will also need to carefully adjust your dosage as to prevent any unwanted side effects. It is also very important that you do not adjust the dosage on your own and that you do not stop using the medication if you believe that it is not having any effects. If you stop using it suddenly and without consulting your doctor, you risk suffering from seizures that might endanger your health. You should also get the prescription refilled before you run out of Lamictal, as it is needed to take it regularly to achieve the best results. It is also advised to talk to your doctor about any possible side effects of Lamictal and about any possible interactions with other drugs you are using.
If you take all of these precautions you will experience a beneficial treatment that will help you with your condition as Lamictal is an extremely efficient medication, and a safe one as well. Much safer than other medications that are used for these conditions.
What is Dilantin and for what is it used?
Dilantin is an antiepileptic medication which means that it is used for treating different seizure disorders. However, it is not used for all seizure disorders and your doctor is the one who will decide if taking Dilantin is the best course of action in your case. There is actually quite some trivia attached to this medication, from the fact that Richard Nixon used this medication to the fact that it is mentioned in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Besides being used for treating different seizure disorders, Dilantin is also used for treating trigeminal neuralgia when carbamazepines have either failed or are not suitable for use for any reason. Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition whose causes are still unknown but which affects a certain percentage of the population, causing incredible pain which is described as one of the strongest pains you can experience. Furthermore, Dilantin is sometimes also used to treat arrhythmia of the heart.
What to keep in mind when taking Dilantin
Before you start using Dilantin, you need to confer with your doctor about using this medication. First of all, your doctor needs to establish if you are going to benefit from Dilantin and if it is safe for you to take this medication. For instance, if you are allergic to this medication, you will not be able to take it. Also, there are some seizure disorders that cannot be treated with Dilantin. If you are diabetic, if you have porphyria, any liver disease or if you have troubles with your bones, you will need to take some additional tests that will help your doctor decide if you are a suitable candidate for a Dilantin treatment. Once you start taking Dilantin, you need to observe certain procedure, depending on the form of the medication. For instance, if you are taking extended-release tablets, you need to make sure that the tablets are whole and undamaged in any way. If they are, too much of the medication can be released at once, which is not good. Your doctor might also want to check your blood and the functioning of your liver when you start taking Dilantin and you need to go for these checkups regularly. There are also some people who have felt depressed when taking Dilantin, and if you yourself or anyone in your vicinity notices any mood changes; you should report it straight away. There are other side effects possible and you should check with your doctor or pharmacist about them, as well as about any potential interactions with other medications.
All of this might have scared you off Dilantin, but you need to be aware that it is necessary to be careful when taking strong medications like Dilantin. You also need to be aware that Dilantin is extremely efficient at what it does, helping you manage with and prevent seizures, as well as relieve any pain you might feel due to trigeminal neuralgia.