Lamotrigine
Toxicology Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) was first licensed for use as an anti-convulsant in 1994 for the treatment of partial seizures. It has now been licensed for use in monotherapy in adults and children, for both partial and primary and secondary tonic-clonic seizures. Lamotrigine is also widely used as a mood stabiliser in bipolar disorders.
The measurement of lamotrigine levels is useful for tailoring treatment for an individual, particularly if poor compliance or toxicity are suspected. The half life of lamotrigine is around 25 hours, but this is significantly affected by many other drugs, especially other anti-convulsants such as carbamazepine, valproate and phenytoin.
Large inter-individual variations in the dose/concentration exist and there is a therapeutic range in which lamotrigine is effective and unlikely to lead to severe side effects. Lamotrigine toxicity presents in a similar way to carbamazepine, and therapeutic drug monitoring can help in this diagnosis.
Test PDF
Sample Requirements
1 mL of serum is preferred. EDTA or heparin plasma can also be used if required. Plastic gel-sep tubes are acceptable.
Storage and Transport
Please refrigerate (if possible) if not sending immediately. Send by first class post to:
Toxicology Unit
Top Floor, Bessemer Wing
King’s College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
Turnaround Time
Results are available within 5 working days of receipt in the laboratory.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrianturner1@nhs.net. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Simon Handley
T 020 3299 5881
F 020 3299 5888
