Navigation

Dilantin vs. Lamictal

Are Lamictal and Dilantin the Same Thing?

Dilantin (phenytoin) and Lamictal (lamotrigine) are anti-epileptic drugs (anticonvulsants) used to control seizures.

Side effects of Dilantin and Lamictal that are similar include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of balance or coordination, sleep problems (insomnia), or shaking (tremors).

Side effects of Dilantin that are different from Lamictal include constipation, spinning sensation, slurred speech, swollen or tender gums, nervousness, or rash.

Side effects of Lamictal that are different from Dilantin include sleepiness, tired feeling, double vision, blurred vision, upset stomach, stomach pain, dry mouth, changes in menstrual periods, back pain, sore throat, or runny nose.

Both Dilantin and Lamictal may interact with other anticonvulsants.

Dilantin may also interact with stomach acid reducers, sedatives, antidepressants, estrogen hormone replacement, phenothiazines, disulfiram, methylphenidate, sulfa drugs, sucralfate, molindone, barbiturates, steroids, antibiotics, digoxin, furosemide, or theophylline.

Lamictal may also interact with olanzapine.

IMAGES

See Images

What Are Possible Side Effects of Dilantin?

Common side effects of Dilantin include:

  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • constipation,
  • dizziness,
  • spinning sensation,
  • drowsiness,
  • slurred speech,
  • loss of balance or coordination,
  • swollen or tender gums,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • nervousness,
  • tremors, or
  • rash.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lamictal?

Common side effects of Lamictal include:

  • dizziness,
  • shaking (tremors),
  • sleepiness,
  • tired feeling,
  • drowsiness,
  • loss of coordination,
  • headache,
  • double vision,
  • blurred vision,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • upset stomach,
  • stomach pain,
  • dry mouth,
  • changes in menstrual periods,
  • back pain,
  • sore throat,
  • runny nose, or
  • sleep problems (insomnia).

Serious side effects of Lamictal you should report to your doctor include:

  • rash,
  • worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, and
  • flu-like symptoms such as body aches or swollen glands.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin (phenytoin) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant, used to control seizures.

What is Lamictal?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications for treating certain types of seizures.

What Drugs Interact With Dilantin?

Dilantin may interact with stomach acid reducers, sedatives, antidepressants, estrogen hormone replacement, phenothiazines, disulfiram, methylphenidate, sulfa drugs, carbamazepine, sucralfate, molindone, phenobarbital, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, steroids, antibiotics, digoxin, furosemide, or theophylline. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

What Drugs Interact With Lamictal?

Lamictal may interact with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, or rifampin.

Lamictal may also interact with hormonal forms of birth control (pills, injections, implants, or skin patches), divalproex, oxcarbazepine, or valproic acid.

How Should Dilantin Be Taken?

Patients may be started on one 100-mg Dilantin Extended Oral Capsule three times daily. For most adults, the maintenance dosage is one capsule three to four times a day. The initial pediatric dose is 5 mg/kg/day in two or three equally divided doses, with dosage individualized to a maximum of 300 mg daily. Daily maintenance dosage is usually 4 to 8 mg/kg.

How Should Lamictal Be Taken?

Lamictal doses depend on the condition being treated and on whether it is used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.