The FDA has approved Lamictal (lamotrigine) for seizures in children as young as 2 years of age. Research suggests that it is effective for a broad range of seizure types, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

A concern when giving Lamictal to children is its interaction with Depakote and the other valproate medicines, which many children take. Depakote makes Lamictal stay in the body much longer than it usually does. As a result, physicians must start Lamictal by giving very small doses to children who also take Depakote. In fact, children who are not taking Depakote may start taking Lamictal with a beginning dose is as much as five times higher.

The amount of Lamictal given depends on the child's age and whether the child takes Depakote. For children ages 2 to 12 years who are also taking Depakote, the starting dose is 0.15 mg per kilogram (kg, about 2.2 pounds) of their body weight per day, given in one or two doses. The amount will be increased gradually up to a maintenance dose of 1 to 5 mg per kg per day. Without Depakote, children ages 2 to 12 years start at 0.6 mg per kg per day and the usual maintenance dose is 5 to 15 mg per kg per day, usually in two doses.

Children over 12 who take Depakote may start at 25 mg every other day and the usual maintenance dose is 100 to 400 mg per day (in one or two doses). Children over 12 who don't take Depakote usually start at 50 mg per day and work up to 300 to 500 mg per day.