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Compare Zarontin vs. Lamictal

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

Key takeaways

Ethosuximide (Zarontin) and Lamotrigine (Lamictal) are both antiepileptic medications, but they have different uses and characteristics. Ethosuximide is specifically used to treat absence seizures (petit mal seizures) and is available in both pill and liquid forms. In contrast, Lamotrigine can treat a broader range of seizures, including partial and tonic-clonic seizures, and is also used for bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine comes in various forms, such as immediate-release, extended-release, chewable, and orally disintegrating tablets. Ethosuximide is known to cause drowsiness and requires regular blood tests to monitor liver and kidney health, while Lamotrigine can cause serious skin reactions and needs a slow dose increase to minimize this risk. Both medications are available in lower-cost generic forms, but Lamotrigine interacts with more medications, including birth control pills.

  • Ethosuximide (Zarontin)
    Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • Ethosuximide (Zarontin)
    Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

  • Summary of Zarontin vs. Lamictal

    Summary for Antiepileptic
    Prescription only

    Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is an antiepileptic medication that's used for treating absence seizures, also known as petit mal seizures. It works by calming down brain activity to lower the number of seizure attacks. This medication is FDA approved for people 3 years and older. It comes as a capsule and syrup under the brand name Zarontin and in lower-cost generic versions. Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is taken by mouth once a day or in smaller doses throughout the day. Some possible side effects include stomach upset, nausea, and dizziness.

    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 Zarontin vs. Lamictal

    Indications for
    •Absence seizures (also known as petit mal seizures)
    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 Zarontin vs. Lamictal

    Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
    Pros
    •A first-choice treatment for absence seizures in children
    •Available as a pill and a fruit-flavored liquid
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Only treats absence seizures (must take other medications if you have a mixed seizure type)
    •Requires regular blood tests to check your liver, kidney, and blood cell counts for your safety
    •Might interact with some other antiepileptic medications
    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 Zarontin vs. Lamictal

    Common Side Effects for
    •Poor appetite
    •Stomach upset
    •Nausea or vomiting
    •Diarrhea
    •Stomach cramps or stomach pain
    •Drowsiness
    •Tiredness
    •Headache
    •Dizziness
    •Difficulty with walking, movement, or coordination
    •Difficulty concentrating
    •Weight loss
    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 Zarontin vs. Lamictal

    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood cell counts
    •Liver and kidney damage
    •Lupus
    •Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Risk for seizures if you stop taking ethosuximide (Zarontin) suddenly
    •Treats absence seizures only
    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

  • Prices with our coupons for Zarontin vs. Lamictal

    Learn more about Ethosuximide
    Learn more about Lamotrigine

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