title: Therapeutic drug monitoring of lamotrigine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of routine monitoring of serum lamotrigine concentration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1990-January 2001). Key search terms included lamotrigine, pharmacokinetics, and epilepsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A decision-making algorithm was used to evaluate the clinical evidence to support or refute the routine use of serum lamotrigine concentrations to adjust doses. The value of serum lamotrigine concentration monitoring remains controversial, primarily because clear relationships between concentration and pharmacologic response (either efficacy or toxicity) have not been demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum concentration monitoring of lamotrigine is not recommended as a tool for routine dose adjustment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: L Lee
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Dupuis
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001682:Biological Availability; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D016239:MEDLINE; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine