Lamotrigine is a potent treatment prescribed for the remedy of epilepsy. It additionally helps forestall despair in younger individuals dwelling with bipolar dysfunction. In case you are taking lamotrigine to deal with your bipolar dysfunction or epilepsy situation, you is perhaps questioning which meals to keep away from when taking lamotrigine. You will need to find out about these meals to attenuate the potential dangers and defend your total well being. The meals might embody refined grains, sugary meals, excessive sodium-rich meals, and saturated and trans fats-rich meals. These meals can work together with lamotrigine, cut back absorption of this drugs, and worsen its unintended effects. Let’s dive immediately into the article that may information you to the meals you have to keep away from with lamotrigine and what meals you possibly can devour. However first, we are going to focus on the essential understanding of lamotrigine and in addition its unintended effects! Learn on!
What Is A Lamotrigine?
Lamotrigine is a medicine prescribed by healthcare professionals that’s accessible in 4 types; oral disintegrating tablets, immediate-release oral tablets, chewable oral tablets, and extended-release oral tablets. You’ll find it below the model names similar to Lamictal, Lamictal CD, and Lamictal ODT. On the subject of the usage of Lamotrigine, this treatment is really helpful within the treatment of seizures in people combating epilepsy. It will probably additionally stabilize temper in individuals dwelling with bipolar disorder, a situation the place an individual faces excessive temper swings, starting from excessive (mania) to low (despair) feelings. How does it work? In the course of the remedy of epilepsy, Lamotrigine lowers the manufacturing of a substance referred to as glutamate within the mind. This exercise stops the mind’s neurons from changing into excessively lively which, in flip, results in fewer seizures. Alternatively, for bipolar dysfunction remedy, this treatment might impression some mind receptors that handle the temper. Consequently, this could cut back the variety of episodes of temper swings you may have.
What Are The Facet Results Of Lamotrigine?
Although consuming Lamotrigine is secure, it may need some unintended effects. In a number of circumstances, the signs subside, however it could take a few weeks or months to vanish utterly.
The widespread signs of lamotrigine might embody:
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Double imaginative and prescient and blurred imaginative and prescient
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Bother with muscle coordination and stability
- Bother sleeping
- Unintended harm
- Again ache
- Dry mouth
- Stuffy nostril
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Nervousness
- Rash
- Tremor
These widespread unintended effects would possibly disappear in about a number of days or even weeks if they’re gentle. Nevertheless, in the event that they change into extra critical, seek the advice of the medical professionals.
The intense signs of lamotrigine might embody:
Severe unintended effects are usually not widespread but when they have a tendency to happen, search medical assist instantly. The next are the extreme signs of lamotrigine:
- Irregular coronary heart rhythm (quick or sluggish heartbeat, chest pain, or shortness of breath)
- Suicidal ideas or behaviors
- Extreme rashes on the pores and skin
- Severe allergic response
- Aseptic meningitis (irritation of the spinal twine and the mind’s membrane)
- Low counts of some blood cells similar to pink blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets
- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which is a harmful response of the immune system resulting in prolonged lymph nodes and excessive fever
- Frequent or extra extreme withdrawal seizures if the usage of lamotrigine is discontinued out of the blue.
You will need to point out that Lamotrigine has a strict safety-related “boxed warning” that’s assigned by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA). Based on research, this warning is relating to the usage of medicines that alert customers about their important dangers. Pores and skin rashes are the uncommon however main, life-threatening danger related to Lamotrigine consumption which is greater in kids as in comparison with adults.
These signs would possibly work together with sure meals and might make the situation worse. Questioning, which meals to keep away from when taking lamotrigine? The next are the meals we’ve listed within the part under!
What Are The Meals To Keep away from With Lamotrigine?
Some proof exhibits that vitamin impacts psychological well being. Research exhibits sure fatty acids reasonably decrease the severity of perceived signs in individuals dwelling with bipolar dysfunction. One other study concludes that way of life components similar to a nutritious diet and train will be useful in bipolar dysfunction administration. Questioning what to keep away from when taking lamotrigine? These are the meals you shouldn’t add to your every day food plan:
1. Refined Grains
Refined Grains similar to white bread, white pasta, baked items, white rice, and chips have a excessive glycemic index. This implies these meals objects can improve the blood sugar ranges. Consuming them generally doesn’t create an issue. However when you have them in extra portions day-after-day, it could elevate the opportunity of long-term excessive sugar ranges that may result in diabetes. An elevated blood sugar degree can improve the intense feelings which are related to bipolar dysfunction. So, have a low-carb food plan similar to lean meats, eggs, nuts, leafy inexperienced greens, apples, blueberries, seeds, and unsweetened dairy merchandise to handle the situation and total well being. No research help the affiliation between refined grains and epilepsy.
2. Sugar
Consuming meals extremely wealthy in refined sugars can result in excessive blood sugar ranges, weight acquire, and weight problems and thus, could make lamotrigine much less efficient. Research says a person ought to have lower than 10 % of energy from the added sugars. It means a median particular person can devour about 4 to five teaspoons of sugar a day. Keep away from or restrict the usage of sure sugar meals similar to sweet, honey, cookies, syrup, desserts, ice cream, pastries, vitality drinks, and fruit juice with lamotrigine. Some meals choices similar to sauces, yogurt, dressings, and soup have hidden sugars. So, all the time be certain to carefully take a look at the dietary label of each product earlier than buying.
3. Citrus Fruits
Lamotrigine and grapefruit (citrus fruit) have a distressing connection. How? Grapefruits or their juices are wealthy in compounds that may hinder the lamotrigine metabolism. These compounds sluggish the exercise of the liver enzymes which have a significant function in breaking down the elements of this treatment. When the drug takes time to get absorbed within the liver, its degree will increase within the bloodstream which, in consequence, results in elevated unintended effects or deadly circumstances. Due to this fact, it is strongly recommended to not devour citrus fruits in uncooked or juice types in extra quantities. Nevertheless, having them in reasonable portions won’t considerably have an effect on the effectiveness of the treatment.
4. Sodium-Wealthy Meals
Excessive sodium-rich meals similar to canned meat or fish, frozen breaded meats, salted nuts, savory snacks, and beans sealed with added salt can enlarge the blood vessels by rising the strain in these vessels. This will result in high blood pressure and finally, it could trigger nerve points. It’s important to do not forget that your physique doesn’t want sodium throughout the remedy of epilepsy. Sodium consumption in a low quantity can elevate the possibilities of seizures and a excessive quantity can contribute to nerve issues. Guarantee to devour 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. You possibly can go to the nutritionists to know your physique’s every day necessities for sodium.
5. Excessive-Protein Meals
Sure meals extremely wealthy in proteins like legumes, meat, dairy merchandise, and fish can have an effect on the absorption of lamotrigine. This occurs when amino acids in these meals and medicines work together with one another. So, to extend the environment friendly absorption of this drug, it is strongly recommended to devour high-protein meals and lamotrigine at totally different instances. Take this oral drugs both 2 hours earlier than or after having protein-rich meals. Following this technique will help increase its efficient absorption within the liver which, in consequence, enhances its effectiveness in treating epilepsy or bipolar dysfunction.
6. Saturated Fat-Wealthy Meals
Consultants say that top saturated fat in meals can improve nerve harm dangers in individuals taking lamotrigine. It’s because these meals can change the best way the physique absorbs this drug. The primary sources of high-saturated fats are high-fat meat cuts, butter, cheese, bitter, and cream. Consuming fatty or fried meals with this treatment will make it much less efficient in treating the situation, as well as, they are going to impression your coronary heart well being. So, a really perfect choice is to eat meals with low saturated fats content material, together with lean protein, wholesome grains, inexperienced veggies, and low-fat dairy merchandise.
7. Alcohol
Lamotrigine interactions with alcohol are usually not good to your well being. Consuming alcohol whereas taking this treatment can have a nasty mixture which may improve sure unintended effects dangers like drowsiness and dizziness. The elements of alcohol can act as a depressant on the physique’s central nervous system which may worsen the lamotrigine’s sedative results. Additionally, alcohol can impression the temper swings related to bipolar dysfunction. Therefore, bipolar sufferers who devour alcohol usually tend to die too early. Due to this fact, it’s urged to keep away from or restrict the consumption of alcohol with Lamotrigine. If you need, take it in reasonable quantities and in addition carefully search for its potential unintended effects.
8. Caffeine
Caffeine is a potent stimulant current in lots of drinks similar to tea, chocolate, espresso, and vitality drinks. Lamotrigine and caffeine can have potential interplay. Research exhibits that caffeine can set off the signs of mania (excessive feelings) in individuals dwelling with bipolar dysfunction and impression sleep patterns and the metabolism of sure medicines like lamotrigine to deal with this situation. Reasonable quantities of caffeine consumption might haven’t proven a significant impact on the efficiency of this treatment, however extra consumption might interrupt its efficacy. So, it is all the time suggested to observe over your caffeine consumption whereas taking lamotrigine and if required, search skilled assist.
What Are The Meals To Eat With Lamotrigine?
If in case you have considerations concerning the lamotrigine interactions with sure meals, there are different meals choices you possibly can go for which will embody:
- Non-citrus fruits: Apples, blueberries, bananas, watermelon, pears, blackberries, raspberries, and kiwi.
- Low-protein meals: Oats, avocado, leafy inexperienced veggies, broccoli, rice, barley, and beans.
- Caffeine-Free Drinks: Coconut water, recent fruit smoothies, iced tea, fruit-infused water, and golden milk.
- Unrefined Grains: lentils, black rice, brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, and candy potatoes.
- Wholesome Fat-Wealthy Meals: Have fatty fish, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, olives, nuts, and fish oil.
Summing Up
We be taught on this article concerning the meals to keep away from when taking lamotrigine. Understanding the function of meals decisions with lamotrigine might improve the effectiveness of the remedy of epilepsy or bipolar dysfunction for individuals combating these circumstances. Excluding sure meals from on a regular basis food plan can significantly increase the remedy expertise and total well-being. Additionally, be certain to stay lively by commonly working towards some workout routines to boost seizure management. You possibly can look out to your signs and unintended effects and overtly focus on them together with your medical doctors. Keep in mind that making the best selections relating to sure meals objects can play a major function in successfully managing your psychological well being situation.
