LAMICTAL Reviews (LAMOTRIGINE)Average Rating: 3.4 (1917 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare LAMICTAL with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Gender with females listed first (reviews with no gender reported listed before females). Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 |
More on LAMICTAL: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR LAMICTAL | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | bipolar disorder rapid cycling | initially i had some side effects when i would increase the dosage. i would get painful sores in my mouth but they would go away after a few days.once up to 100mg no more side effects even when uping the dose. no weight gain no sexual side effects which alot of other mood stabilizers tend to do. | This drug has been a miracle for me. it has helped immensly in controling my rapid cycling. most of the time its the only drug i need. ocassionally i take ativan for anxiety but not very often.it really seems to help the depression side of bipolar with out throwing you into mania like some SSRIs. i take 200mg at night and 100mg in the morning. | F | 24 | 2 years | 2/15/2007 | 5 | Bipolar II | Nightsweats and trouble with sleeping because of constant and very unpleasant vivid dreams, which are extremely troubling and causing a lot of problems due to the lack of "good" sleep. | I've been taking the medication for about a year and a half, and overall it's been a "miracle drug" for me (I've tried so many meds in the past, and this has been the only one to help me), it's helped stabilize my moods to the point that I am better able to control my emotional responses to every day things. The medicine along with positive changes in my life has done wonders for me, and now I am better able to see a positive future for myself. Despite the side effects, it's a wonderful medication. | F | 26 | 1 years | 2/16/2007 | 5 | bipolar I | Not sure if the muscle burning/ fatigue durine workouts is becauseof medications or not. Really no other side effects yet. | I'm an athlete and really stressing about the effects this will have on my body since my livelyhood is dependant upon it... anyone else on here workout regularly or is athletic that could let me know how its affected you and your performance? | F | 22 | 6 weeks | 2/17/2007 | 5 | Bipolar II | Has anyone else experienced weight loss while on Lamictal? Understand, that's a good thing for me(!) but I wondered if it might be the drug...I take 250mg daily. | F | 56 | 2 years | 5/20/2007 | 5 | Bipolar Type II | Itchy skin, night sweats, insomnia for the first few days. Dizziness and slight drugged feeling just after taking it. Breast size increased :) Solved the insomnia by setting an alarm for 5am - take it - then go back to bed for an hour or so. | After solving the insomnia problem I have to say that this stuff is amazing - I feel calm without feeling flat. I'm as creative as ever (I'm an artist so this matters) but I think I'll have problems doing the really melancholy paintings because I just don't feel that way anymore... I just wish I could have started on this 20 years ago. | F | 45 | 2 months | 10/13/2007 | 5 | depressive bipolar | maybe some trouble recalling words | I went to a shrink for the first time in my life a week ago. I have been in a severe depression since my marriage went into the toilet. I've taken every anti-depressant. The last one being Effexor. It worked but side effects were not good. Anyway, I was completely shocked when psychiatrist said I have been misdiagnosed, i am actually bipolar-in his opinion. I thought HE was the crazy one. But decided to give Lamictal a try. I cannot believe what a difference it has made. I take it alone, without effexor, and have not felt this good in i don't know how long. I forgot what "normal" felt like. I know it's very early in my treatment and side effects can still happen (i am still on starter pack) but I love it so far! | F | 33 | 5 days | 8/28/2007 | 5 | bipolar, mostly depressive | first week or so: extreme tiredness and slight dizziness for a few hours after taking. moderate to severe nausea almost all day. extremely hard to pay attention, spacing out a lot when people are talking to me. however, mood-wise i felt much happier almost immediately. long term: eye rolling (i have pre-existing tourettes syndrome, which may have something to do with it), rather easily distracted, lost 10-15 lbs, highly increased libido (probably due to feeling better mentally), extremely vivid dreams, sometimes have extreme insomnia but sometimes will fall asleep within seconds of lying down, nausea unless extremely hungry, much more ambition, and the urge to get out and live (i am moving within the next year because i am just not satisfied in my hometown anymore, probably also to do with getting better). i have never experienced "the rash", thankfully. for reference: i am extremely easily affected by all medications, so i started treatment on only 25mg once at night, then a | lamictal has been amazing to me. i enjoy life every single day and i have literally never been this happy in my entire life. pretty much the only bones i have to pick are that unless i am extremely hungry, i am extremely nauseous, and that i have terribly vivid dreams: sometimes i will wake up and think that what happened in the dream applies to real life. this can get scary if it's not a good dream. but i feel so much better that it is very worth it. | F | 17 | 4 months | 7/30/2007 | 5 | Bipolar, Severe Depression, Panic | Headaches at the begining, stomach aches when dose increased, possible weight gain I'm on so many meds. | Both my daughter and I are on this RX. I have noticed a major change for the better in her. I too am a happier person. I recently was upped a half pill and seem to be a bit more tired but coping better. Good luck to those that can't take it, I know how it can be since I was on so many I can't even list them all. | F | 50 | 1 days | 6/30/2007 | 5 | Depression, Anxiety, & Mood Swings | 1st Week: Dry mouth, eyes, and skin but mostly mouth. Second night I had a swollen lip and a weird mouth sore and was itchy but no rash. Emotional, crying for no reason. Felt like I was kind of going crazy, confused. EXTREMELY weird thoughts, not exactly voices, just very weird thoughts. (Definetely not something I've ever experienced!) Slept better than I've slept in awhile, but vivid and detailed dreams. I of course called my doctor about all of this, she suggested I take 25 mg of antihistamine for one more night (after 3 days of this) and that was the end of all of the horrible side effects for me! 2nd week to now: Most side effects completely gone, only ones that remain are the occassional 'mental fog' where I can't think of a word and just go blank. But it's been humorous so far and hasn't happened very much. And the second is some slight OCD-like behavior. | It's been great for me. If you can get through the first week of a new medication it's worth a shot to see if it'll work. Everyone reacts differently to medications and you have to give it time. All of my horrible ones were over after the first week and I'm SO glad I stuck with it because it has helped me tremendously. I started slow though- 25 mg the 1st week, 50 mg the 2nd, etc until now I am at 150 mg. | F | 25 | 2 months | 5/18/2007 | 5 | depression/mood swings | At 50 mg: Runny nose for a while after I take in morning, getting better now. Increased sexual desire which has been great. Pretty much non existant before. I am now at 100 mg and I am having terrible gas and uspset stomach. I have been on 100 mg for only 6 days and am hoping this will go away. Has anyone else had this? I have had trouble remembering some things and didn't even relate it to Lamictal. Have gone blank on names, couldn't remember my step-daughter's last name last week. That was scary. | I feel "normal" for the first time ever, I think. Feeling happy and calm. My mood swings were under control until about a month ago, hence the increase to 100 mg. My appetite has gone down with the increased dose and wouldn't mind a few pounds of weight loss. The gas at this point is very irritating and embarrassing. Anyone else on this? I've always had a sensitive stomach so I just am dealing with it. | F | 54 | 8 months | 9/25/2007 | 5 | Bipolar II | Nightmares if taken late in the evening | Mood stabilizes within 20 minutes of taking pill, no haziness or cloudy thoughts. It has taken care of all my symptoms. Good to have insurance when taking this pill. (Expenisve) I've ordered it from Canadian pharmacies, and it takes about twice the dosage for the same effect. | F | 27 | 6 years | 10/2/2007 | 5 | manic-depression | dry mouth. No problems with the rash SE. That is a rare (but serious SE). See the derm atlas for images dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/IndexDisplay.cfm?ImageID=1388325837 | This is my second time on it and it is great for my mood. Not only as a mood stabilizer but for depression. | F | 27 | 6 months | 10/30/2008 | 5 | Manic Depressive (Bipolar) | slight weight loss | LAMICTAL GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK! Until 2 years ago, the only "normal" life I remember was as a child. I have been hospitalized twice (once for 3 months) & have been treated with various antidepressants over the years. Some worked a bit. Others did not. NOTHING came close to helping me as does Lamictal. I have actually written the company to thank them. I would LOVE to meet with any scientist who worked to help "cure" me. My chart, tho inches thick I'm sure, honestly now states "IN REMISSION" | F | 50 | 2 years | 10/29/2008 | 5 | Bipolar/ Major Depression | none | This medication saved my life. I take this with Effexor and Seroquel (sp?). My doctor has incresed it when I start going down. I'm currently taking 800mg a day. | F | 31 | 8 months | 10/22/2007 | 5 | Bipolar , Paranoia | calmness, blurry vision, burning eyes, stiff muscles | I have been on various psych drugs for the last 15 years and nothing seemed to work. I have felt more wellbeing and stability on Lamictal than I have felt in my whole life. I am slightly concerned about the effect on eyes long term, but I am going to give it a shot for a while, and research it more. I don't want to give up the lack of emotional chaos...I haven't had hair loss or weight gain or rashes like some people have here...i hope i never get those, I would be sad if I had to stop the drug. | F | 28 | 2 months | 10/31/2007 | 5 | bipolar II /major depression | have had no recognizeable negative side effects | so far it has been a wonder drug. after more than ten years of depression and mood swings i am finally feeling more stable than i ever have. not feeling suicidal almost all the time is a wonderful feeling. the depression is much more managable. it all feels new. not being depressed is taking some adjustment but i love it and my husband appreciates the return of my sex drive. it hasn't done a lot for my occasional confusion and "dumbness" but i'm used to it and i haven't been on it long (still on titration pack). hopefully this is the drug i've been looking for. | F | 31 | 4 weeks | 11/7/2007 | 5 | Bipolar | At first, I experienced dizziness, clumbsiness, weird vision (black and spotty), also made the room spin. These all went away. The side effects that still stick around are: some numbness, definitely increased libido, difficulty concentrating and focusing, some nausea, maybe some hair loss, and I'm tired and lack motivation more often. I'd take these side effects any day in comparison to the symptoms of my bi-polar episodes. | I've been taking Lamictal in conjunction with zoloft for 1 year and 9 months. The dosage of zoloft has steady remained at 100mg and definately helps with my depressive moods...but aggravates manic episodes to a dangerous degree. That's were lamictal comes in to the picture. I began taking lamictal at a small dose and titrated up slowly as reccomended. Currently, I am prescribed 400mg of lamictil (plus the zoloft) and it seems to be the perfect coctail of medications for me. Right now, I feel better than I ever have. The medication isn't exactly a miracle drug, but it has enabled me to escape the destructive lifesyle choices of a reckless street addict, homeless commen criminal. Well, the medication and a year long rehab. My psychiatrist, who specializes in addiction, prescribed me the lamictal and the zoloft and so far, so good. My life is normal...job, house, school, car. I've been on other things in the past including wellbutrin, effexor, celexa, seroquel, but the lamictal | F | 32 | 2 years | 11/6/2007 | 5 | Bipolar 1 | Insomnia which decreased over time. Problems with mixing up words when speaking and misspelling of words when typing. Short term memory loss. A little unstable on my feet. Tend to list a little to the right and run into door frames. Very vivid and lifelike dreams, no nightmares. Some initial side effects have lessened or disappeared over time. | I am calmer and steadier than I have ever been and the longer I take the drug, the better I feel. It has been a very positive experience and the few side effects are not that troubling in comparison with the definite benefits of this drug. | F | 52 | 5 months | 9/25/2007 | 5 | BP II | Absolutely NO side effects | I have been given hope again. My life is as "normal" as it's ever been. I had been on 8 different meds over the last 3 years with horrible results and side effects. As one last shot, based on the reviews on this board, I tried Lamictal. All I can say is I wish I would have has this in the beginning. | F | 35 | 7 weeks | 5/6/2007 | 5 | for bi-polar I | i haven't had any side effects that i have noticed. when i read some of the comments here i found that i may have a few. night sweats, but not sure if that is due to age; menapause. i did have headaches for maybe the first few months after i started taking it. i have insomnia at times. no other side effects that i can tell. | i was prescribed lamictal a little over two years ago. i felt like it was a myracle drug for me. i have taken several other medications before i began taking lamictal. i took lithium for seven years and felt numb most of the seven years i took it. i have so much more energy. i am much more outgoing. i am happier now. i feel i have my life back. i feel better than i have felt since i was diagnosed with bi-polar nineteen years ago. i have had a severe episode with depression and was suicidal. i've had two severe episodes with mania where i was totally out of reality. in between the severe episodes i stayed mostly depressed, but did have mania some too. i have finally come to terms with my bi-polar and i make sure i go to see my doctor and take my medication the way i'm suppose to, cause for so many years i did not want to take my medications and was in denial that i was bi-polar. best wishes to all of you. | F | 45 | 2 years | 5/9/2007 |