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Compare Felbamate vs. Lamictal

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Felbamate (Felbatol) and Lamotrigine (Lamictal) are both antiepileptic medications used to treat seizures, but they have some key differences. Felbamate is typically used for partial seizures in adults and seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in children, while Lamotrigine can treat a broader range of seizures, including partial, tonic-clonic, and LGS seizures, and is also used for bipolar disorder. Felbamate is not a first-choice medication due to its risk of serious side effects like liver and blood problems, whereas Lamotrigine is often preferred and can be used alone or with other medications. Felbamate is taken 3 to 4 times a day, while Lamotrigine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, allowing for more flexible dosing, typically taken once or twice a day. Both medications are available in generic forms, but Lamotrigine offers more variety in formulations, including chewable and quick-dissolving tablets. Common side effects of Felbamate include vomiting and trouble sleeping, while Lamotrigine can cause dizziness and double vision.

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Felbamate

Felbamate (Felbatol)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Felbamate (Felbatol)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Summary of Felbamate vs. Lamictal
Summary for Antiepileptic
Prescription only
Felbamate (Felbatol) helps treat partial (or focal) seizures in adults with epilepsy and in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). It's typically taken by mouth 3 or 4 times a day, and the dose is adjusted based on your response to the medication. Common side effects include vomiting, stomach upset, and trouble sleeping. Felbamate (Felbatol) isn't a first-choice option because it can cause very serious side effects, like liver and blood problems. This medication is available as a tablet and an oral suspension, which are both sold as brand-name and generic versions.
Summary for Antiepileptic
Prescription only
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an antiepileptic medication. The immediate-release version can treat different types of seizures as well as bipolar 1 disorder. But the extended-release version is only for seizures. Your dose depends on your age, the other medications you take, and what problem you're treating. Side effects can include dizziness, headache, and serious skin reactions. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures if you stop taking it suddenly.
Indications of Felbamate vs. Lamictal
Indications for

•Partial seizures in adults with epilepsy

•Seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in children - add-on treatment

Indications for

•Partial-onset seizures

•Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures

•Seizures from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only

•Bipolar 1 disorder - immediate-release only
Pros and Cons of Felbamate vs. Lamictal
Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
Pros

•Can use by itself or with other medications to control seizures in adults

•Less likely to cause sedation when used alone than some other antiseizure medications

•Available as a suspension if you have trouble swallowing pills

•Available as a lower-cost generic

•Not a controlled substance, so it doesn't have strict regulations from the government

Cons

•Not a first-choice antiepileptic because of risk of serious side effects; only take if other medications haven't worked well enough

•Taken 3 to 4 times a day

•Interacts with some other antiepileptics, so your provider might have to adjust your doses

•Dose adjustment needed if you have kidney problems because of higher risk of side effects

•Unknown if safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women

Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
Pros

•Available in different formulations (regular immediate-release tablets, chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets)

•Can use a starter kit to help with dosing when you first start the medication

•Approved for children of certain ages with seizures (age depends on formulation)

Cons

•Can cause dizziness and headaches

•Must start at a low dose and have the dose slowly raised to lower the risk of serious rash

•Interacts with many medications, like birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)
Common Side Effects of Felbamate vs. Lamictal
Common Side Effects for
The following side effects were reported in adults taking this medication in addition to other antiepileptics.

•Headache (37%)

•Nausea (34%)

•Drowsiness (19%)

•Low appetite (19%)

•Dizziness (18%)

•Difficulty sleeping (18%)

•Tiredness (17%)

•Vomiting (17%)

•Indigestion (12%)

•Constipation (11%)

Side effects might be different for children or for adults taking this medication by itself.
Common Side Effects for
Immediate release:

•Dizziness (38%)

•Headache (29%)

•Double vision (28%)

•Problems with coordination (22%)

•Nausea (19%)

•Blurry vision (16%)

•Sleepiness (14%)

•Runny or stuffy nose (14%)

•Sore throat (10%)

•Rash (10%)

Extended release:

•Dizziness (14%)

•Nausea (7%)

•Vomiting (6%)

•Tremor (6%)

•Feeling tired (6%)

•Double vision (5%)

•Diarrhea (5%)
Warnings of Felbamate vs. Lamictal
Common Side Effects for

•Low blood cell counts (aplastic anemia)

•Liver failure

•Suicidal thoughts or behavior

•Interactions with other antiepileptics

Common Side Effects for

•Serious skin rashes

•Serious allergic reaction

•Overactive immune response to the medication

•Irregular heartbeat

•Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior

•Meningitis (inflammation in the brain)

•Withdrawal seizures

•Possible eye problems

•Interactions with other medications
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Compare Felbamate vs. Lamictal

Key takeaways

Summary of Felbamate vs. Lamictal

Indications of Felbamate vs. Lamictal

Pros and Cons of Felbamate vs. Lamictal

Common Side Effects of Felbamate vs. Lamictal

Warnings of Felbamate vs. Lamictal

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