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 |
| 4 | ADD/Mood Disorder | Headache, dizziness, nausea, foggy thinking. | I almost chucked the drug until I looked it up online. A lot of people were talking about drinking Gatorade every fourth glass of water to help with some of the symptoms. As soon as I started drinking Gatorade (Propel) I started to feel better. I have been taking a short nap after my dose too, and that helped, but I think this drug can make you dehydrated if you are not a water drinker. I did see online that you are suppose to drink it with a full glass of water. I was given a starter sample and that direction was not on the packaging. It may have been in the pocket directions, but you would think if they were so particular about taking it slowly over a month period, the full glass of water might be important. This drug makes it hard to read - duh! I will still use the Gatorade (Propel) in between. I do believe that when my full dose is acheived, my 4 rating will be a 5, barring any other complication. I will update any changes. | F | 43 | 14 days | 6/14/2007 | 4 | seizure disorder | headache, nausea, dizziness, hair loss! felt like the room was spinning really slowly, impatience, a little sleepy, slight weight gain | Have to take the pills exactly 12 hours apart or I get super sick. Somewhat withdrawn emotionally for a few weeks, but this improved. 5-10 lbs gain is probably because starting this after Topamax meant food actually tasted good again! All side effects subsided except hair loss. My hair is everywhere! My dr titrated me up really quickly and I developed the rash, so in a few days I'll be titrating off and start a new med. | F | 21 | 3 months | 11/28/2007 | 4 | Bipolar 2 | A fair amount of dyslexia, both verbal and written. I've never had problems like this before, and it is clearly from the medication. It seems to subside after I get used to the dosage that I'm on. Insomnia when I take the pill at night. Also nausea, dizziness, and fatigue, but like the dyslexia, this seems to be getting better. | To answer the 10/12 poster's question about Birth Control Pills, I take Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. My doctor told me that it does cut the effectiveness of the medication in half, but said that we can just put me on a higher dosage if necessary. (For example, if I need 100mg, I'll take 200mg.) It didn't seem like it would be a problem. Also, I'm a small person, which means that a smaller amount affects me as well as a larger amount might for a bigger person. The same may hold true for your daughter, given that she is still in her teens and may have a more sensitive body chemistry than an adult. Talk to her psychiatrist if you have concerns about which BCP to use, but the impression I got was that it was in no way a problem. | F | 30 | 6 weeks | 10/29/2007 | 4 | Bipolar/Depression | loss of words, memory loss (i have an excellent memory)-i cannot remember simple things like names of things | works great for my bipolar/depression. i feel better than i ever have and am able to be more positive about things than ever. my jealousy and rage have subsided a LOT and i am so much more rational. the only downside is that this medication MUST be increased while on it. | F | 25 | 6 months | 10/22/2007 | 4 | ipolar,primary deep depression | loss of appetite,running into thgs and being tired. | No anti depressant has worked for me for several years.I have been ina very black epression for 1 and a half years.I also have ptsd.this medication is giving me my life back. 100mgs. | F | 1 months | 10/22/2007 | 4 | Bipolar | FORGETFULNESS increased. Have had memory issues for the last 10 years or so but it seems a little worse. Seeing that I am still not completely stable the forgetfulness may be from that. MEMORY LAPSES- which are more troublesome than forgetfulness. Total inability to recall events when people bring them up later. Lastly,DENTAL PROBLEMS. I just noticed a few days ago that one of my back teeth is severely decayed along the gum line. After further inspection I noticed two more places where decay is present. I have always taken care of my teeth and this rapid onset of problems makes me wonder if there is some connection with the lamictal. Anyone else notice dental problems? | When you are in a mixed state of bipolar and spend days on end pacing the floor talking to yourself anything that stops that is a pure miracle. Obviously if I keep losing time or my dental problems increase I will want to try alternatives but continuing to live in a mixed state is not an option. It has slowed things down enough to be rational. The depression has been a little more stubborn (I am on 50mg wellbutrin too) and it has taken months of dosage increases with the lamictal (up to 300mg) to get that under control. I am hopeful that my new sense of stability will help me as I plan to return to work soon. | F | 37 | 6 months | 10/29/2008 | 4 | epilepsy | Memory loss and disturbed sleep patterns. Occasional shakiness. Interestingly I was reading that some users have a lack of libido and I'm now wondering whether it's lamictal that is causing this. I'm not 100% sure but I do think I'm slightly more moody than I used to be? | I had an extreme allergic reaction to tegretol (dilantin not so much) so lamictal is highly preferable to either of these. I'd like no side effects but at least I can drive now and look after my children without worry. The disappointing thing however is I originally took lamictal before they announced the side effects for babies so was looking forward to being able to maybe have another baby, As research continues into birth defect and the percentages get higher I don't think I'll have another child. | F | 41 | 4 years | 11/2/2008 | 4 | depression | weight loss, feelings of being full easily and not getting hungry, but that subsided. Hair loss at first, but it grew back (that lasted about 4ish months) | Well I gave it a four because its a good drug I took it actually because I thought I was Bipolar. But I'm sure it will work miracles for those who are. I now take Prozac also and my life is the way it used to be. I know what its like to go through such a hard mental/physical problem. Never give up!! Your life is worth it. Even if this medicine dosn't work their is something out there for you! | F | 16 | 1 years | 9/1/2007 | 4 | rapid cycling bipolar type 2 | irritability and stomach aches at first, noticeable decrease in libido for a few months | lamictal has helped me alot. for the first few weeks i didn't feel much different, but then i missed a dose and instantly returned to my previous problems. if you skip any, don't expect to be stable for a few days. i take 200mg now and haven't had any intense side effects. however, i've found that after a while lamictal seemed to give me less of a good feeling and instead just kept me from freaking out like i used to. it's certainly beneficial but it leaves you hanging at a certain point. one annoyance i have is that the uncoated pills taste absolutely terrible and i have to force myself to take them. | F | 18 | 7 months | 10/17/2007 | 4 | Bi Polar/BPD | I had some trouble sleeping at first, which led to some crankiness. I went a week with about 3 hours of sleep per night. I started taking an anti-histamine, which helped with that problem. Sometimes I see little sparkly dots in my eyes when I stand up to fast. The sparklies replaced what used to turn black when I stood up too fast. I can't seem to think of any other side effects at this time, but I will post more if I remember or experience more. | I feel like Lamictal has helped me so much. To be honest, I don't know if it is psychological or the Lamictal itself. I have only been taking it for three weeks, but I almost instantly felt better. As I mentioned in the side effects section, I was sleepy for a week or so, which caused crankiness. I was told that I could take this medicine with an anti-histamine. I thought that would be a good idea, especially since I was having trouble sleeping. I bought some store brand Benadryl and since then I have had 0 side effects. I feel my mood has leveled out. I still get irritated sometimes, but there is no such thing as an easy way out, at least not in my opinion. The medications prescribed are supposed to HELP RELIEVE symptoms that the medicine is prescribed for. | F | 25 | 3 weeks | 10/8/2007 | 4 | BPD, Depression, Mood Swings | I didn't have too many side-effects, blurry vision and super vivid crazy dreams though. | I'm greatful for finding Lamictal and having the persistence with my Psych to prescribe it to me after multiple anti-depressants just not helping beyond my depression. I have BPD and struggle daily with ups and downs, I have the worst time regulating my emotions. I recently had a long-term relationship break-up, which is very difficult to deal with for the average person. But before this med, I would of freaked out, cried uncontrollably and felt the end of my life was here. I'm struggling eith this part of my life, but I really notice the difference. I cry but realize this is life and truely feel so much more power over my emotions and dealing normally with reality overall. As with any psych drug, it takes forever to find the right combo, but I never lost hope and kept on my Psych Dr. to try many options and now I'm on a few and I feel much better than ever before! | F | 26 | 2 months | 5/26/2007 | 4 | bipolar type II | NAILS SEPARATING FROM NAIL BED? HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? I can't figure out what's causing it. It's called onchyolysis. If I accidentally overdose, I can't spell (at all), can't do simple math, and stagger as though I was drunk. As soon as I go back to my adequate dosage, these symptoms stop immediately and completely. Anyone experiencing these symptoms needs to take a lower dose. Otherwise, fabulous drug, no other symptoms. | I have been on every antidepressant ever invented, and lamictal is the only thing that has ever worked for me. It's saved my life, and I think it's probably the drug of choice for bipolar type II. | F | 52 | 4 years | 9/26/2007 | 4 | neuropathic pain from MS | easy bruising, insomnia, some weight gain, safer for pregnancy/breastfeeding | Because I had stop Neurontin since I became pregnant, I was fortunate to have the option of Lamictal. I have fierce, burning pain in my legs so bad that I couldn't function. Lamictal does a decent job relieving this pain. I had to add a couple more meds in combination with it, but overall, very good. | F | 39 | 2 years | 9/27/2007 | 4 | Bi-polar 2 | I have been on Lamictal for a year and a half and have had excellent results - I am finally able to sleep (am not distracting by my thoughts which I can not stop), can concentrate, am no longer paranoid, or obsessing about what people are thinking about me. But about 3 months ago we increased my dosage due to some PB symptoms, from 200mg to 300mg - but I have adjusted back to 200mg. I was having the following side affects: short term memory loss which was constant, dizziness, and increased muscle twitching. Not to mention the extremely high cost - wish it was a preferred medication. Currently I am on 300mg Wellbutrin and 200mg Lamictal. I am hoping to go off both medications and am looking for others that have done the same. I am hoping that with regular exercise, changes in my diet and vitamin therapy I will be successful. What have others done? | I am concerned about the long term side affects. If you have been weaned off Lamictal please contact me . . . | F | 43 | 1.5 years | 8/31/2007 | 4 | Mood Disorder Bi Polar type 2 | The only thing I don't like is that after an hour of taking the pill I yawn all the time. That lasts for about 3-4 hours or so. That gets on my nerves. I don't feel sleepy though. I take it with food and that seems to help. Also my mouth feels funny. I had the same thing happen when i took trileptal, also an anti-seizure med. I don't get a bad taste in my mouth, it's just feels funny, no tingle or numbness just, maybe a tad bit numb. Thats when I know my medicine has kicked in, then I start to yawn. If I take my medicine too late at night I cant really sleep. I will for a few hours and then wake up off and on all night. Annoying. | Once my medicine kicks in my mood changes big time. I become so nice, nothing pisses me off. I'm a lot more talkative and I have no problem helping others at work. Normally if anything little happens I fly off the handle. It's like I become a different person. People can tell it I haven't had my medicine. | F | 24 | 2 years | 6/22/2007 | 4 | seizure | F | 36 | 5 years | 5/17/2007 | 4 | Bipolar Disorder | Rash around mouth and nose. Difficulty remembering things. Difficulty sleeping at times. Whenever there was an increase in dosage it made me very tired. Uncoordinated. Shaking or trembling of hands. Left sided headaches that could become migraines. | I have found this medication to be the most effective in helping me cope with this disorder. I am much more stable than I have ever been but my lifestyle has changed. 3 yrs ago I moved and I quit using drugs, left a very abusive and frightening man, associated with people considered normal for most peoples standards, went to school and successfully completed school for massage therapy, I have had the same job for 3 yrs, lived in the same house for 2 yrs, have a solid network of friends (most of whom know of my 'condition') and have had the same phone number for 3 yrs. These are all firsts for me. I have fought my diagnosis since the beginning not wanting to believe something is wrong with me. I have a wonderful psychiatrist and psychologist. I've been seeing them for 3 years as well. One of the side effects that concerns me is that my hands shake, being a massage therapist and having hands that shake tends to make clients lose faith in your abilities. Massage is not my full time job | F | 37 | 3 years | 9/5/2007 | 4 | Mixed state bipolar disorder | Maybe a little irritability but nothing else has of yet. I had a big blow up with my husband last night about me not doing my part as far as taking care of our home (laundry, cleaning - I've pretty much shut down in the last 3 months) that caused me to run to a closet and shut myself in for about 15 minutes, but I attribute that to my existing condition and the fact the medicine hasn't really kicked in yet. | I am hoping this medicine will do the trick for me - my bipolar was a response to the stress of being a stay at home mom of young children (3 and 1)and my husband working out of town up to 3 weeks at a time on a routine basis. My psych said I inherited a mood disorder from my mom's side. My grandfather was treated numerous times for depression before he died, but that was 25 years ago and I really think he was bipolar and misdiagnosed. He was the same age that I am now when he wa first diagnosed with depression, but his was precipitated by returning home from WWII. My psych said that there's a genetic link and that we both incurred a major stressor at the same age. I will be so happy if this doesn't cause weight gain because with my post-partum depression and rounds of Lexapro and Wellbutrin I put on 30 lbs in 3 months after losing all of my baby weight plus some. | F | 31 | 4 days | 5/17/2007 | 4 | bipolar, OCD, ADD | so far, my mental status has decreased- hard to concentrate, nightmares, and fatigue. mild itchy skin and mild decreased libido but not problematic. | overall good drug, but coupled with a drug such as wellbutrin XR can be real helpful too. didnt cure OCD or ADD, effexor was good for OCD. Unfortunately not treated for ADD yet... nevertheless, i would recommend lamictal and hopefully it will work for you. | F | 27 | 2 years | 7/31/2007 | 4 | i am a 39 yr old bipolar female | i have just started taking Lamictal. my results showed immediately. i was diagnosed at 18 and have been on everything and nothing has allowed me to feel what assume is close to a "normal" person. I do have side effects though. I have headaches in the morning and evenings,confusion at simple tasks,a tingling on the top of my head,and the worst is the very vivid nightmares i have everynight. i have been told that the nightmares go away at higher doses.I am currently at 50 mlg a day | F | 39 | 14 days | 8/10/2007 |