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/ptsd/borderline psnalty d/o | The benefits far outweigh the negatives for me. It does, however, cause me to be a total klutz, get very easily distracted, (i can be talking about something and then do a total switch-around mid-sentence into an entirely different topic. my poor friends and family!), and i have trouble remembering things sometimes. But...I can pinpoint this drug and say that for a fact this is the one that saved my life. | I am now up to 450 mg. and my doc will not go any higher because i'm not using it for an anti-epileptic, only for a mental health med. Now i'm getting a bit nervous about the next time i need an increase and what we'll do. I'm also on Topamax, Wellbutrin, Ativan for PRN, and Abilify (which sucks and I am d/c'ing it asap d/t major side effects). I have tried just about every drug out there over the years and in different combinations, too. This is the only one that got my rump out of bed and helped me to feel like I wanted to stay alive, work, and start going out again. | F | 37 | 3 years | 8/10/2008 | 5 | Bipolar II | No side effects-- a miracle in itself | This has been virtually a miracle drug for me-- though I do worry about the potential for a buildup of toxicity/liver damage that many feel may result from its long-term use. I take 100mg 2x a day, in conjunction with 400mg Seroquel at night. Seroquel apparently has caused weight gain. I was misdiagnosed for years as major depressive/anxiety disordered, but turns out SSRIs and SSNRIs had just exacerbated my hypomania, and now I feel FANTASTIC- better than ever before. One of my docs says it hasn't been tested long enough to really know its potential longterm-use effects, but I am unwilling to change what works at this point. Anyone know of problems other than the rash (which I didn't get)?? | F | 47 | 14 months | 6/7/2008 | 5 | bipolar II | Increased mucuos/nasal drainage | Lamictal has helped me tremendously. None of the other meds that I have taken in the past have ever helped like Lamictal has, and I have taken many antidepressants/mood stabilizers. | F | 55 | 3 years | 6/10/2008 | 5 | Bipolar | SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS- I often forget what I did just the other day/have to be reminded of conversations and things that I said /Have resorted to writing down anything of importance so that I don't forget. NIGHT SWEATS-- I have night sweats every night and my sheets/comforters end up soaking wet. I have started to sleep on a terry cloth towel so I don't have to change my sheets so often. STUTTERING/LOSS OF WORDS-- I am an interpreter, so for my profession, it is crucial that I possess the verbal and language skills necessary to perform my job well. Since taking Lamictal, I find that I have a difficult time getting the words that I am thinking to come out of my mouth. I find myself using word substitution. For example, if the word "jurisdiction" is too difficult for me to say, I will replace it with " area". I keep the concept intact but have had to dummy-down my spoken vocabulary. I stutter or my brain won't let my mouth say the words. I a | Ok... so would I stop taking lamictal due to the side effects? Not in a million years! Never! I feel like my best self--- how I used to feel before my illness took over my life. My relationships are better-- healing every day. I feel balanced, smooth, and even. I love my little pill. My family and loved ones do too! | F | 42 | 1 years | 6/13/2008 | 5 | Bipolar 1 depression | Slight balance issues at times | Lamictal is an amazing treatment 4 the depression associated with bipolar 1 disorder. This med literally saved my life. I give it (and the Dr. who prescribed it) all the credit for my being here 2day. I can not even begin to describe how agonizing the depression I experienced was. It was so bad that I knew I wld only be around for another wk or 2 max. Having only recently been diagnosed with bipolar 1, this was the 1st med the dr. prescribed & I am so thankful that he did. I began taking it on Sep. 12, 2007. On 9-14, 2 days later, I nearly killed myself. It was the worst pain (all of it mental) I have ever experienced & the only thing that kept me from it was a promise that I made to the dr. when he prescribed it: that I wld give the med some time 2 work & not kill myself. I didn't have 2 wait long bc, although 9-14-07 was the worst night of my life, by 9-19 my depression had so diminished that I was no longer the least bit suicidal & felt better than I had in yrs. That | F | 26 | 10 months | 7/19/2008 | 5 | Mixed bipolar disorder & dysthymia | forgetfulness, confusion, insomnia, and some mild anger episodes (doctor says those can also be attributed to my Wellbutrin) | Lamictal has been literally a life-saver for me. Due to the severity of my disorders, I take 400 mg/day (300 in the AM, 100 in the PM because of trouble sleeping). I also take Wellbutrin to help with the dysthymia, and while my bipolar symptoms have not completely disappeared (I don't think they ever will), the differences I've noted are incredible. I am far more productive, not in a manic sense either, and, oddly enough, am a more relaxed driver as well. I used to have suicidal thoughts years ago, but after being put on the Lamictal, those have stopped. I have not experienced any of the blurred vision, headaches, etc., and my sex drive is actually up from what it used to be. I also have made use of consistent, on-going cognitive/behavioral therapy, which helps me to come up with tools to combat the forgetfulness, confusion, and anger, and the combination of the pharmaceuticals and therapy has basically enabled me to stay alive and start having as close to a normal life as possible. | F | 28 | 4 years | 7/24/2008 | 5 | seizure disorder / hypomania | I take a huge dosage (700 mg/day) to control my seizures. My neurologist wanted me off phenobarbital and thought that Lamictal could help stabilize my moods-especially my problems with anger. After three years these are the main side effects. Current: insomnia, increased sun sensitivity, extreme short term memory loss and disorginization, new: heightened PMS, (crying spells) terrible night sweats -- but only if my dosing is off, metallic taste in mouth when manic. Stopped: my hair loss stopped after about two years. | Side effects are always a tough call -- is it me, or is it medicine? Still have hypomanic symptoms, but they are much more managable for the first time in my life - even my racing thoughts and talking too quickly. MY MONTHLY DOSAGE WAS $725.00!!! THERE IS A PROGRAM CALLED BRIDGES TO ACCESS. FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ON GLASKO SMITH-KLINE WEBSITE. MD FILLS OUT FORMS, SOMEONE IN OFFICE IS YOUR ADVOCATE. THREE MONTH SUPPLY DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME FOR FREEEE! I couldn't have switched without it and I am glad I did. Lamictal has helped me tremendously. | F | 39 | 3 years | 4/21/2008 | 5 | Bipolar NOS and organic brain syndr | Awful headaches from time to time, itchiness, and every once in a while I'll feel unbelievably sick and flu-like for about half an hour. But WHO CARES???? Not me! | Lamictal ROCKS! It does so much to stabilize my mood and cognitive functioning. I would happily accept side effects that were 10 times worse in exchange for that. Lamictal is also especially valuable for women because it lowers the toxic estrogen levels that are so common these days. | F | 39 | 9 months | 11/4/2008 | 5 | Boderline P./Mood Stabilizer/PTSD | The side affects were present in the first month or so; that first month, this medication made me VERY tired after taking it. But that was it. Now 5 months later... No side affects at all, and this medication has literally saved my sanity! | After being treated by traditional antidepressants, and anti anxiety medications... my moods were still completely out of control. Lamictal has improved my quality of life 100%. I can leave the house now without severe anxiety. I no longer have the crazy mood swings that had plagued me nearly all my life. Finally a medication that really helps! | F | 28 | 7 months | 11/7/2008 | 5 | Bipolar II | I haven't noticed anything out of the normal | Has made a huge difference in my life - symptoms of bipolar almost completely in check. I still have times where I feel the bipolar more but I haven't seriously wanted to hurt myself in the two + years I've been taking. | F | 29 | 2.5 years | 11/20/2008 | 5 | Bipolar | No real side effects. | The drug has changed my life. No weight gain, no lows and highs like I use to get. Happy and not affraid to be myself.. YOU SHOULD TRY IT; IF YOUR DOCTOR THINKS ITS RIGHT FOR YOU. | F | 37 | 3 days | 11/26/2008 | 5 | BiPolar II | none | I can't even begin to explain how it has changed my life. I have tried all the other drugs. Lithium made me so sick, abilify had no effect whatsoever, depakote made me so dizzy and tired I couldn't function. I had gone off all my meds and was in the deepest depression of my life and abusing alcohol, sleeping all day, my house was awful, my poor family....then I started on Lamictil. I am a different person. I rarely nap, cut way back on drinking, stopped biting my nails!! I hope I never have to stop taking it. I have lost weight and I am more responsible than ever. I feel 'normal' for the first time in 20 years. I cried when my family told me how much they love me and how happy they are that I am 'back'. | F | 36 | 4 months | 12/16/2008 | 5 | Bipolar II | None | In conjuction with Abilify, worked with for my Bipolar II | F | 22 | 2 years | 12/16/2008 | 5 | Bi-Polar I w/psychosis | I just restarted taking Lamictal along w/Risperdal. I had a cold before restarting so not sure if the side effects are coincidental. | I have been on this medicine combination before and I am so much better than before,I am happy to be back on it, the side effects don't outweigh the benefits for me. I have no more racing thoughts(at this time)my energy levels are great | F | 41 | 3 weeks | 12/30/2008 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | At first I experienced chapped lips and a little fatigue. It went away after about a month. I now feel totally back to normal and better than I have in my whole life. Mood is stable, emotions regulated, I am able to keep a job for more than 6 months. Great energy, good sleeping, and good eating habits. | F | 36 | 1 years | 12/30/2008 | 5 | bipolar symptoms | No significant side effects | Lamictal helped me turn my life around. Prior to taking it, my emotions and actions were all over the map. I was a wreck. Now I'm relaxed, happy, optimistic, social, thoughtful ... everyone that's known me before and after can attest to the positive, significant impact Lamictal has had in my life. My only warning: do not miss a dose. I can't stress that enough. | F | 28 | 3 years | 1/26/2009 | 5 | Bipolar | extremely forgetful, gastritis | I am on 400 mg a day. I also take prozac. This drug has been a miracle drug for me. I am a different person. No more "walking wounded feeling" or extreme sadness not being able to leave the house. Exhausting manic episodes have stopped. No more paranoia. I feel like a normal person and can deal with everyday situations for the first time in my life. I am happy and motivated. However I can feel it if I miss a day or two, so I try to never miss. I can deal with the forgetfulness... it is nothing compared to the horrible debilitating mood swings. I would trade my memory for being crazy any day of the week. Lifesaver drug. | F | 39 | 4 years | 1/27/2009 | 5 | Bipolar I | trouble finding words, trouble with spelling (which i had never problems with before), feeling slow, trouble concentrating, worsening of short-term memory and long-term memory, feeling dull and unenthused, itchy in the middle of the night, strange feeling in my ears sometimes (feels something like swimmer's ear) | honestly i would recommend this medication to anyone who is going through serious bipolar episodes. on a whole, this medication has saved my life. when i do get depressed, it doesn't get that bad and i snap out of it very fast. one trouble is that i never get into a very happy mood state... i stay at a pretty constant monotone interspersed with mild depression. even so, it has been worth it over the past year because it has helped me recognize my emotions and my reactions to things due to being able to observe myself instead of just instantly reacting to everything. this will help me immensely once i stop taking the drug. even though i've listed so many side-effects, they are somewhat mild and have been tolerable up to this point. i am going to talk to my doctor soon about trying to come off of it, though, because i am tired of the side-effects now. still, once again, i do recommend this drug. i did not gain any weight, lose my hair, or get a rash and never felt so drugged out that i c | F | 25 | 1 years | 1/31/2009 | 5 | Extreme Depression and Anxiety | Side effects are not really very bad, extremely tolerable... Night Sweats, Just need to change out of my pajamas first thing in the morning, weight Loss-about 10 pounds--but I needed it. | I have had clinical depression since the age of 16, and have tried every antidepressant and mood stabilizer out there. Lamictal has been a miracle for me. I am myself again! Effexor works well as an antidepressant, depakote and zyprexa worked but I ate too much and gained tons of weight. I currently take 150 mg of lamictal and 150 mg of effexor. I hope more depressed people, will try the mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants. I read in the New Yorker once that there were theories that some scientists thought depression was similar to little mini-seizures...anyway... I agree with the lady who posted that the reason lamictal doesn't have more positive postings is because there are so many people who have been happy with this drug that they no longer need to surf the internet for help. I hope that any one who has had a positive experience with this drug will post a comment to help all those who are still searching. Good luck! | F | 40 | 2 years | 2/11/2009 | 5 | bipolar | mild to severe anxiety at times, severe constipation (since dose was upped over 100 mg. Currently on 150 mg.), abdominal pain (from constipation), dry eyes. | The side effects are unpleasant, but tolerable. This drug has saved me. I was an absolute mess before, rapid cycling constantly, rampant paranoia triggering both depression and mania. I've been upping my dose slowly from 25 mg. I know immediately when I need to up it because the paranoia starts, and once I up it, the paranoia goes away completely. It's changed my life. I've been bipolar since I was 4, and I've never known what it's like to have a stable mood. It's heavenly. I will deal with the side effects. The anxiety can get pretty bad, but because my mind is clearer than it's ever been, I am able to talk myself through it. It feels great being sane. | F | 31 | 6 months | 2/16/2009 |