Lamotrigine shortage?

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My son takes lamotrigine, and we are having a difficult time finding it in any pharmacy. It used to be that we could easily buy a 2-month supply, but now everyone is saying they don't have it.

Is anyone having the same issue?

For reference, we are in a Middle Eastern country, and there used to be two brands available, one locally made, and one from the UK. I just read this and am concerned that something is going on:

https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/news/drugwatch/actavis-lamotrigine-tablets-discontinued-65023

We were not using the Actavis brand, but still. My son only has a 2-week supply left, and I'm not sure what to do. We will be discussing this with his neurologist in a couple of days if we can't find the medication, but I am really worried about the possibility of sudden withdrawal. Is there anything that can replace this medication in an emergency situation?
 
They don't say why they are discontinuing it. You should call your doctor this morning. You and your doctor need to have a plan of action ready.

Is it being recalled?
 
I have had no problem with lamotrigine supplies here in the U.S.

Depending on the kinds of seizures your son has, you could get a short-term rX of Valium or Ativan to tide him over until the lamotrigine is back in stock. If the lamotrigine shortfall will be long-term, then it might make sense to switch him to either Dilantin or Keppra, both of which can be ramped up quickly to a working dose.
 
I have called my neurologist since I am on Lamictal (Lamotrigine). I am waiting for her to call back.
 
Thank you to everyone who responded. Amazingly, just a couple of hours after I wrote my post, a nearby pharmacy called and said their supply of the local brand had been replenished. So, problem solved (for now), but I was really starting to get worried.
 
What is the Lamictal black box warning for? I'm tapering off it and having a hellish time.
Click to expand...
The black box warning is for the potentially fatal skin rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. It's very rare, but some people get it as a sort of an extreme allergic reaction when they are ramping up on Lamictal. See http://www.rxlist.com/lamictal-drug.htm

If you are having side effects while tapering off, consider in smaller increments and waiting longer at each level before dropping to the next. That can sometimes help minimize side effects.
 
I have had Steven-Johnson Syndrome tw0 times. When I was 6 years old, with Dilantin.

Then when I was around 50 with Tegretol. It's no fun. The black box should mean coffin.
 
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