foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine

Lamotrigine is usually prescribed by doctors as a solution for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It is an antiepileptic medicine that induces a stable balance and helps to reduce seizures. Even though lamotrigine might be very effective in handling these medical issues, but, it is essential to be careful about consuming specific foods that may trigger the dosage and probably block its effectiveness. Today, here, you will get to see the list of foods to avoid if taking lamotrigine to make sure of the right treatment results and reduces any probable threat.

Know what Lamotrigine is

Lamotrigine impacts the body by monitoring the status of specific neurotransmitters in the human brain, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This modification can help to control electrical functioning in the brain, taking down the chances of it occurring and intensity of seizures and balancing control in any person with bipolar disorder. But like any chemically induced reaction in our body needs certain dietary control. Hence, it is important to know what foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine. 

foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine

Foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine

A list of basic food following their effects and the probable reactions they might have with your medicine Lamotrigin. 

  1. Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice
  2. Alcohol
  3. Caffeine
  4. Fatty Foods
  5. St. John’s Wort
  6. Artificial Sweeteners

1. Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit and its juice consist of elements which can affect the lamotrigine. These elements hinder an enzyme called CYP3A4, for metabolising the drug in the liver. By inducing this enzyme, grapefruit can raise the concentration of lamotrigine in the blood flow, probably leading to increased levels of the drugs and a severe threat of side effects.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is a total nervous system tranquilliser that can react with lamotrigine, multiplying its tranquillising effects. It might also raise the threat of dizziness, drowsiness, and threatening cooperation. Over and above, alcohol might impact sleep schedule and brain function stability, it might contradict the effects of lamotrigine in controlling bipolar disorder.

3. Caffeine

Caffeine, which is available in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and multiple sodas, is a component that can affect the central nervous system. While there is no direct reaction between caffeine and lamotrigine, caffeine can aggravate anxiety and sleep irritation, which are regular signs of both epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It is advised to check up on caffeine consumption and be careful of its impact on contentment of health.

foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine

4. Fatty Foods

Intake of foods with high fat might slow down the ingestion of lamotrigine, pushing it further is its overtake of action and probably taking down its effects. It is advised to avoid fatty food more than required, specifically when on medication, to make sure continuous and scheduled absorption. In case the question specifies and concentrates on what Foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine, fat food falls straight on the top of the list. 

5. St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is an ayurvedic component usually used to increase signs of depression. Even so, it might react with multiple medications, adding on to lamotrigine. St. John’s Wort produces specific enzymes in the liver which have effects in drug digestion, it can lead to reducing the amount of lamotrigine in the bloodstream, rendering the medication less effective. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before taking any herbal supplements while on lamotrigine.

6. Artificial Sweeteners

Every Artificial sweetener that is found in all kinds of sugar-free and all healthy diets. Even though the amount of evidence is limited to form a bias for a specific effect of artificial sweetener and lamotrigine, some people have faced elevated seizure happening to them or any other effects. It is suggested to examine your own response to artificial sweetener and understand and analyse with your doctor.

foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine

Effect of lamotrigine in both Seizure and Bipolar

Anticonvulsants, or anti-seizure medicines, are the stabilisers for your brain. According to common explanation the way these medicines work is to keep the nerve cells in the brain more calm and composed. And once they’re more composed it is less likely that seizure or depression is going to happen. 

FAQ:

Q: What is lamotrigine?

A: Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures in people with epilepsy and is also used as a mood stabilizer in treating bipolar disorder.

Q: How does lamotrigine work?

A: Lamotrigine works by decreasing the abnormal activity in the brain that can cause seizures or mood swings in people with epilepsy or bipolar disorder.

Q: What are the common side effects of lamotrigine?

A: Common side effects of lamotrigine include dizziness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Serious side effects such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have also been reported, although they are rare.

Q: How long does it take for lamotrigine to start working?

A: It may take several weeks for lamotrigine to reach its full effect. The dosage is usually increased gradually over a few weeks to minimize the risk of side effects.

Q: Can lamotrigine be taken during pregnancy?

A: It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of taking lamotrigine during pregnancy with your doctor. Lamotrigine has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects, so it should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Conclusion

While you’re on lamotrigine, it is important to keep a tab on the possibilities of reactions happening between the medicine and certain foods. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice, alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, St. John’s Wort, and artificial sweeteners poses the threat to affect the soaking of magnesium, its digestion, and effectiveness of lamotrigine. Even though it might not be extremely essential to totally discard these foods contents from your daily meals, modulation and knowledge are the prime key. In this article about what foods to avoid when taking lamotrigine It has been suggested that it is best to turn to your professional doctor for individual recommendation on sustaining a healthy diet, certainly just for you when and if you are taking lamotrigine to be assured about the best treatment aftermath and reduce any threat.