Key takeaways
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and eslicarbazepine (Aptiom) are both antiepileptic medications used to treat seizures, but they have some key differences. Lamotrigine is available in both generic and brand forms and can treat a wider range of conditions, including various types of seizures and bipolar disorder. In contrast, eslicarbazepine is only available as a brand-name medication and is specifically used for partial-onset seizures. Lamotrigine comes in multiple formulations, such as immediate-release and extended-release tablets, and is taken 1-2 times a day, while eslicarbazepine is taken once daily and can be crushed if needed. Both medications can cause dizziness and other side effects, but lamotrigine has a higher risk of severe skin reactions and requires a slow dose increase to minimize this risk. Eslicarbazepine can cause low sodium levels and liver injury, and it interacts with many other medications, including hormonal birth control. Both medications require careful monitoring and should not be stopped suddenly to avoid withdrawal seizures.
