Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with
the NHS website.
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Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything
from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit.
You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website,
or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.
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About LamotrigineNHS medicines information on lamotrigine - what it's used for and key facts.Lamotrigine is a medicine used to treat epilepsy. It can also help prevent low mood (depression) in adults with bipolar disorder. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. Lamotrigine slows these electrical signals down to stop seizures. Lamotrigine is available on prescription. It comes either as tablets you swallow, or tablets you chew or dissolve in water to make a drink. Key facts- You'll usually take lamotrigine once or twice a day. You can take it with or without food.
- It can take up to 6 weeks for lamotrigine to work. You may still have seizures or feel low during this time.
- The most common side effects of lamotrigine are skin rashes and headaches.
- You can drink alcohol with lamotrigine but it may make you feel sleepy or tired, and alcohol and hangovers can bring on seizures in some people with epilepsy.
- Do not stop taking lamotrigine without talking to your doctor first.
- If you have epilepsy, you're entitled to free prescriptions for all of your medicines, not just your epilepsy ones.
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OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic. | ![](/images/spacer.gif) |
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Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.
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