Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant and mood stabiliser: it blocks sodium channels in nerve cells and reduces the release of the excitatory messenger glutamate. It is used for many kinds of epilepsy and to prevent episodes of depression in bipolar disorder. It is started slowly, because starting fast raises the chance of a serious rash. It is sold as Lamictal, among other names.
The best-studied genetic link concerns that rare serious rash: HLA-B*15:02, an immune-system gene version most common in parts of East and South-East Asia, is linked to a higher chance of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. DPWG has published a guideline on HLA-B*15:02 and lamotrigine. Lamotrigine is cleared mainly by the enzymes UGT1A4 and UGT2B7, and studies have looked at these and at the transporters ABCB1 and ABCG2 for blood levels, with weaker evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Lamotrigine. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
DPWG guideline: HLA-B. *15:02 positive · *15:02 negative. 2024.
Every published finding on gene variants and Lamotrigine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
HLA-B HLA-B*15:02: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Epilepsy, Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. 9.
UGT2B7 rs7668258: Level 3. Metabolism/PK: Epilepsy. 5.
UGT1A4 rs2011425: Level 3. Metabolism/PK: Epilepsy. 5.
ABCG2 rs2231142: Level 3. Metabolism/PK: Epilepsy. 4.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Studies that do not fall into the groups above.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Antiepileptics (class) (Anticonvulsants)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.
Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026
Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com