Most people who take Lamictal don't have too much trouble with side effects. The most common complaints include:

• dizziness
• upset stomach
• headache
• unsteadiness
• double vision
• rash

Most of these problems are mild to moderate.

If you notice any of these problems, call the doctor. Sometimes the doctor can help by changing the amount of Lamictal taken or how you take it. No one should stop taking Lamictal or change the amount they take without a doctor's advice.

On the positive side, fewer people say they feel tired when they take Lamictal than with most other seizure medicines. In fact, for many people it's slightly stimulating. This is often a welcome side effect unless it keeps them awake at night.

People who have just started taking Lamictal (or who have just started taking a larger amount) should be careful during activities that might be dangerous, until they know whether they are having any side effects.

Allergic reactions
About 10% of people who take Lamictal experience a rash. Almost none of these rashes are serious. They most often occur in the first 6 weeks of treatment, so during this time, try to be aware of any skin problems and tell the doctor or nurse right away if you see a red rash, to be sure that it's not the beginning of a serious problem. It's often necessary to switch to a different seizure medicine.

Long-term side effects
So far, we don't know about any long-term side effects of Lamictal.