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Compare Lamictal vs. Banzel

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

Key takeaways

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and Rufinamide (Banzel) are both antiepileptic medications, but they have some key differences. Lamotrigine is used to treat various types of seizures and bipolar disorder, while Rufinamide is specifically for seizures linked to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and must be taken with other seizure medications. Lamotrigine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, whereas Rufinamide comes in tablets and a liquid form. Lamotrigine can cause serious skin reactions and interacts with many medications, while Rufinamide can cause heart rhythm problems and must be taken with food for full absorption. Additionally, Lamotrigine is available as a lower-cost generic, but Rufinamide can be expensive if not covered by insurance, even though it is available as a generic. Both medications can cause dizziness and drowsiness, but they have different side effect profiles and specific warnings.

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Rufinamide (Banzel)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Rufinamide (Banzel)
Summary of Lamictal vs. Banzel
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.
Summary for Antiepileptic
Prescription only
Rufinamide (Banzel) is an antiepileptic medication that helps control seizures due to a type of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). It's approved as add-on treatment to other anti-seizure medications for adults and children 1 year of age and older. Rufinamide (Banzel) is typically taken by mouth twice a day. It comes in tablet and oral suspension form. Rufinamide (Banzel) isn't a controlled substance, but it commonly causes drowsiness and vomiting as side effects.
Indications of Lamictal vs. Banzel
Indications for

•Partial-onset seizures

•Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures

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

•Bipolar 1 disorder - immediate-release only

Indications for

•Seizures related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) - add-on treatment
Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Banzel
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)

Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
Pros

•Works well to lessen the number of seizures in a month if you have Lennox–Gastaut syndrome

•Can give to children 1 year of age and older

•Comes as an orange-flavored suspension if you have trouble swallowing pills

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

Cons

•Must take with other anti-seizure medications (not by itself)

•Only used for seizures from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; not for other seizure conditions

•Must take with food to help the body fully absorb the medication

•Can cause drowsiness
Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Banzel
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%)

Common Side Effects for
Children (age 1 to younger than 4 years old)

•Vomiting (24%)

•Drowsiness (16%)

•Bronchitis (12%)

•Constipation (12%)

•Cough (12%)

•Low appetite (12%)

•Rash (12%)

Children (age 3 to younger than 17 years old)

•Drowsiness (17%)

•Vomiting (17%)

•Headache (16%)

•Tiredness (9%)

•Dizziness (8%)

•Nausea (7%)

Adults

•Headache (27%)

•Dizziness (19%)

•Tiredness (16%)

•Nausea (12%)

•Drowsiness (11%)
Warnings of Lamictal vs. Banzel
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

Common Side Effects for

•Suicidal thoughts or behavior

•Drowsiness, tiredness, and difficulty controlling movements

•Heart rhythm problems

•Severe allergic reaction

•Seizures after stopping the medication too quickly

•Life-threatening seizure complication (status epilepticus)

•Low white blood cell counts
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Compare Lamictal vs. Banzel

Key takeaways

Summary of Lamictal vs. Banzel

Indications of Lamictal vs. Banzel

Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Banzel

Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Banzel

Warnings of Lamictal vs. Banzel

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