Managing the unpredictable: Mechanistic analysis and clinical recommendations for lamotrigine treatment after bariatric surgery

Daniel Porat, Carmil Azran, Hasan Kais, Arik Dahan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bariatric surgery may alter the absorption and overall bioavailability of oral drugs. Lamotrigine is a major antiepileptic and mood stabilizer, that its use after bariatric surgery has not yet been studied. In this article, we provide a thorough mechanistic analysis of the effects of bariatric surgery on multiple mechanisms important for the absorption, bioavailability and overall pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine. Attributable to its pharmacokinetic properties and drug characteristics, the use of lamotrigine after bariatric surgery may be challenging. The complex situation in which some mechanisms may lead to increased drug exposure (e.g., decreased metabolism, weight loss) while others to its decrease (e.g., hampered dissolution/solubility, decreased gastric volume), may result in lowered, unchanged, or enhanced lamotrigine plasma levels after the surgery. We conclude with a set of clinical recommendations for lamotrigine treatment after bariatric surgery, aiming to allow better patient care, and emphasizing the extra caution that needs to be taken with these patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article number5627
JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine
Volume10
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2021

Keywords

  • Anticonvulsant
  • Epilepsy
  • Metabolic surgery
  • Oral drug absorption
  • Pharmacotherapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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