Lamotrigine is a medication used in the treatment of seizures as well as in bipolar disorder. In this video, I'll share with you my visual mnemonic to help you remember all the information about lamotrigine so you'll be ready for test day. I'm having a great time at this fancy masquerade party, but it looks like my friend here isn't quite enjoying herself.
She's pounding on the door of her limo trying to get the attention of her driver. This limo will serve as your memory anchor to limotrigine because limo sounds like limotrigine or limotrigine, if you will. Limotrigine is a drug used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder. We'll talk about these applications later during the scene, but for now, just remember that this limo is our symbol for limotrigine.
This limo is sure to give its passengers a smooth ride. thanks to these high-end anti-shake shocks. Just like these shocks are used to prevent shaking, lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication, meaning it is used to prevent seizures. Lamotrigine accomplishes this by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels in the brain responsible for causing seizures and can be used to treat a wide range of seizure types. Just remember these anti-shake shocks on the limo to remember that lamotrigine treats seizures, okay?
I mentioned this is a masquerade party, and if we zoom in closer, we can see that this is actually a theater mask with both a happy and sad face. Let these mixed happy and sad faces remind us of bipolar disorder. Get it? Since bipolar disorder is characterized by both periods of mania or elevated happiness, as well as periods of depression or intense sadness. We're talking about bipolar disorder here since lamotrigine can also be used to treat bipolar disorder.
Lamotrigine is particularly effective in treating the depressed phase of the disorder. Just remember this happy and sad mask as our symbol for bipolar disorder, and you'll remember Lamotrigine's other major clinical use. So why is my friend in such a hurry to leave the party?
Well, take a look at the rash that has broken out all over her body. Even a theater mask can't hide a rash this big. Because she broke out in a rash, my friend is really embarrassed and is trying to leave the party early.
Which reminds me, patients taking Lamotrigine should be aware of the side effects of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, or SJS. a severe drug rash that presents as blistering and peeling of the skin. This rash is very severe and can cause life-threatening skin death. The risk of developing SJS is dose-dependent, meaning that the risk increases as the dose of drug increases.
So most physicians prescribing lamotrigine begin by titrating the dose up slowly. However, SJS as a side effect can compromise patient safety and is therefore extremely testable. So just use this girl's rash to remember to notify the provider at the first sign of a rash.
The limo driver wasn't expecting his passenger to return for a few more hours, so he thought he'd take a nap in the meantime. He's in such a deep sleep that my friend is pounding on the limo door trying to wake him up. The sleeping limo driver is our symbol for sedation because lamotrigine has a side effect of drowsiness and sedation. That makes sense if you think about it because in order to prevent seizures, lamotrigine depresses the activity of the brain. And sedation is a side effect of central nervous system depression, right?
All right. I'm heading back into the masquerade party, but before I go, let's recap. Lamotrigine is a medication used to treat seizures as well as bipolar disorder.
An important adverse effect is a life-threatening drug rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, so any signs of a rash should be reported immediately. Another common side effect is drowsiness or sedation. And now we're actually done with lamotrigine. See you in the next one! For more videos like this one, subscribe to our channel, and check out our newest lessons.
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