LAMOTRIGINE

Lamotrigine (LTG) is a novel antiepileptic drug (AED) with a spectrum of activity in animal models of epilepsy similar to that of phenytoin and carbamazepine. In some models it appears to have a broader spectrum and better tolerability than these agents, however. One mechanism of action of LTG is the marked inhibition of release of the excitatory neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate under conditions of sustained repetitive firing. LTG appears to do this by blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels and has no direct effect on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In clinical trials as add-on therapy in medically refractory partial seizure patients, LTG has consistently produced a 50% reduction in seizure frequency in 25-34% of subjects. LTG is well tolerated, even in the add-on situation. In part, this appears to be related to positive behavioral effects. Desirable pharmacologic properties of LTG include low protein binding (55%), an absence of enzyme induction, and linear pharmacokinetics. The most significant adverse effect is rash, leading to a withdrawal rate of 2% of patient exposures in clinical trials.