Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by brain seizures.
According to the American Association of Neurological Symptoms, a seizure is a sudden change in brain functioning leading to behavior alterations.
Over 50 million people suffer from epilepsy worldwide, with over 5 million people diagnosed every year.
But the good news is that experts estimate that 70% of people with epilepsy are able to control their seizures with the correct medication.
Lamotrigine is a popular epilepsy medication used to treat certain types of seizures.
In some cases, doctors use lamotrigine as the only epilepsy medication, but they might also pair it with another medication to help manage the condition.
The medication works by slowing down electrical signals to help manage and prevent possible seizures.
While most doctors prescribe lamotrigine to help treat epilepsy, some also use it to control bipolar disorders.
If you are taking lamotrigine, you might have some questions regarding this medication.
Here, we’ll clear some common concerns regarding lamotrigine. We’ll cover side effects, foods to avoid while taking Lamotrigine, foods to eat, and other indications you need to be aware of to make sure the medication works properly.
Foods To Avoid When Taking Lamotrigine
Currently, there is no interaction between lamotrigine and any food or herb. This means you can eat or drink almost anything along with this medication.
With that said, there are some foods you want might want to avoid when taking lamotrigine if you want to improve nerve health.
Refined Grains
Refined grains have a high glycemic index, meaning they can spike sugar levels. While having them once in a while is not an issue, eating them in large quantities daily can increase the risk of chronic high sugar levels, leading to diabetes.
The problem with high sugar levels is that they can cause nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy).
While there are currently no studies linking the consumption of refined grains and epilepsy, there are studies stating the possible benefits of following a low-carb approach.
For that reason, you may want to avoid the following foods to prevent any possible nerve damage due high blood sugar levels:
- White bread
- Bagels
- White pasta
- White rice
- Chips
- Baked goods
Sugar
On the same page as refined grains, having a large sugar intake can increase the risk of high sugar levels.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, people should consume less than 10% of calories coming from sugars.
For an average person, this might represent consuming 4-5 teaspoons of sugar per day.
However, according to the American Heart Association, people consume 17 teaspoons of sugar daily, meaning they have 3-4 times as much sugar as they should.
The problem, like with refined grains, is that it can increase the risk of high sugar levels, leading to diabetic neuropathy.
Avoid the following foods when taking lamotrigine, or make sure to eat them in moderation:
- Sugar
- Candy
- Honey
- Syrup
- Cookies
- Desserts
- Pastries
- Ice cream
- Fruit juice
- Sugary drinks
- Energy drinks
Make sure you check the nutrition label whenever you purchase a product. While the previous options are pretty common, there might be hidden sugars in foods you might not be aware of, such as yogurt, soup, sauces, and dressings.
Sodium
Food high in sodium can increase the pressure in the blood vessels, possibly leading to high blood pressure. In the end, this might lead to nerve problems.
Now, keep in mind that the body does need sodium. A low sodium intake can increase the risk of seizures, but a high sodium consumption can lead to nerve problems.
Make sure you don’t eat more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily, or consult a doctor to check how much you need daily.
To avoid increasing the sodium consumption, eat the following foods in moderation:
- Canned foods
- Chips
- Condiments
- Fast food
- Cold cuts
- Canned or dehydrated soups
Saturated Fats
Evidence suggests that a high saturated fat diet can increase the risk of nerve damage. The main sources of saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, sour cream, cheese, and high-fat meat cuts.
However, you can also find it in some vegetable sources such as coconut and palm kernel oil.
Even if your doctor recommends following a keto diet to help reduce the risk of seizures, keep the saturated fat content low.
Foods To Eat While On Lamotrigine
High Antioxidant Foods
Antioxidants can help reduce the damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause nerve and DNA damage.
Foods high in antioxidants include fruits and vegetables. Make sure you are getting at least 4-5 servings and vegetables a day.
To ensure you get different nutrients, eat at least three different colored vegetables daily.
For example, have a cup of raspberries in the morning, a green salad for lunch, and some cooked carrots in the evening.
Remember that the more variety in your diet, the more nutrients you get!
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Unsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids, can help improve nerve health. Ensure that most of the fats in your diet come from unsaturated fatty acids rather than saturated ones.
If you want to increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, include:
- Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, and sardines).
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Fish oil
- Walnuts
- Oysters
When possible, make sure to prefer wild-caught fish over farmed raised. Wild-caught fish tend to have more omega-3 content and better nutrient quality.
Unrefined Carbs
Finally, unrefined grains are better at promoting more stable glucose levels and preventing seizures.
So, make sure you replace refined grains with unrefined or whole grains. Some great sources include beans, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, black rice, oatmeal, and sweet potato.
| Foods to avoid | Foods to eat |
| Refined grains | High-antioxidant foods |
| Added sugar | Omega-3 fatty acids |
| High sodium-foods | Unrefined carbs |
| Saturated fats | Healthy fats |
What Else Should You Avoid While Taking Lamotrigine?
Alcohol
While alcohol might not interact with lamotrigine, alcohol can increase the risk of seizures, especially if you drink too much and it causes dehydration. It can also worsen certain side effects, such as dizziness.
Drink alcohol in moderation to avoid any possible side effects, and when drinking, add a glass of water before and after the drink. This can help reduce the risk of dehydration.
Certain Medications
Some medications can cause interactions with lamotrigine, or it can be the other way around. Lamotrigine might make certain medications less effective (such as birth control pills).
Consult with your doctor or health professional for any possible interactions between the medication you are taking.
Should Lamotrigine Be Taken With Food?
Ideally, lamotrigine should be taken in a fasted state since taking it with food might slightly decrease its bioavailability.
However, some people might experience stomach discomfort after taking the medication. If this is the case, you can take it with food.
Make sure to ask your doctor which is the best way to take the medication, and follow their orders exactly.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Lamotrigine?
While lamotrigine is safe to take, just like any other medication, it might produce side effects. In most cases, these symptoms tend to go away, but it might take several weeks or months for them to disappear.
Here are the most common side effects of lamotrigine:
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Feeling dizzy, drowsy, or sleepy
- Diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling irritable or agitated
- Upset stomach
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
Conclusion
Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication often used to help slow down electrical signals to prevent seizures.
While the most popular treatment is for treating epilepsy, some doctors might use it to decrease the future risk of depressive symptoms in asymptomatic bipolar patients.
Currently, there are no known food interactions with lamotrigine, meaning you can have a regular diet when taking it.
Still, it is recommended to follow a diet high in whole grains, unsaturated fats, fruits, and vegetables.
With that said, limit the consumption of refined grains, sugars, sodium, and saturated fats to prevent any possible nerve damage that might increase the risk of symptoms.
Always consult with your doctor to determine if there is a possible interaction between the medications you are taking and lamotrigine, and drink alcohol in moderation to avoid increasing the risk of seizures.
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