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 |
| 1 | Bipolar Disorder I | Spinal cord swelling, memory loss, nausea, migraines, vomiting, loss of feeling in one are, tightness in shoulders... so many sides effects that there was not way to tell if it did my mind any justice! | After after one week, my neck started getting stiff but I didn't relate it to the medication. By the third week it was my neck, spine, shoulders and head in constant pain. It caused anxiety so bad that I threw up daily after only a few hours of being awake (was/am not pregnant). The nausea continued for the rest of the day. In the 5th week, I couldn't get out of bed because of the pain. I felt like my spine was on fire and jabbing into the back of my skull. My shoulders were so tight that I lost sensation and motor skills in my dominate arm. Thankfully, I received an e-mail that same week telling me that this drug had a rare but life threatening side effect: SPINAL CORD SWELLING. I stopped the medication immediately and with in one week I felt great. I will NEVER take this drug again- ever. | F | 21 | 5 weeks 25 MG 2X day | 9/29/2010 | 1 | to treat mood disorder | WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICINE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS, MY HAIR HAS FALLEN TO AN ALARMING CONCERN. IT HAPPENED SUDDEN AND I KNOW IT WAS THE MEDICATION, I AM NOT TAKING ANYTHING DIFFERENT AT THIS TIME. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT A TERRIBLE FEELING THIS IS. IT IS WORSE THAN HAVING A MOOD DISORDER. A PILL SO POWERFUL TO ACTUALLY LEAVE YOU BALD, IF NOT STOPPED. I AM SCREAMING OUT TO YOU WOMEN TAKING IT. SHOULD YOU FIND A FEW HAIRS HERE AND THERE, HAVE YOUR EYE OUT. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, IT'S AWFUL. HONESTLY, HAD I KNOWN THAT THIS WAS ONE BIG SIDE EFFECT, I WOULD OF THOUGHT ABOUT IT. ALL THAT YOU HEAR IS ABOUT "THE RASH"/ NOT....THIS IS A LIVING HELL EXPERIENCE THAT ONLY GOD WILL HELP ME WITH. | F | 38 | 3 weeks 100mg 1X day | 7/11/2010 | 1 | Autism/Anxiety | Extreme manic-like appetite during menstrual period, weight gain, imsonnia, scared of the dark, acne, ticks, increased heart rate (90+), increased anxiety/perseveration, increase defiance | Daughter is diagnosed as Autism/MR, can't communicate effectively but these are the symptoms she has experienced. The increase in anxiety can also be described as perseveration/routine needs. Defiance has increased, very sneaky and smart in finding ways to keep parents busy so that she can get to food. Autism is not a clea diagnosis, so much that doctors think she might have LKS instead. Very active, using walking, excercise to overcome weight gain | F | 19 | 2 months 50 1X day | 7/28/2010 | 1 | Bipolar Depression | Hair loss, cystic acne, facial/neck paresthesia/pain, insomnia, tachycardia, anxiety, memory loss, inorgasmia, vaginal dryness. | Insomnia was almost immediate, was placed on Ambien to "resolve" that side effect. Pain, pins and needles in my face and neck on the 2nd day, acne started on 2nd day (I've always had the clearest skin) on my face, back and shoulders. I felt like someone plugged me into an outlet, totally wired. All side effects increased in severity as my dose was increased. I trusted this psychiatrist with my condition and was told the side effects I had were unheard of, that they were all symptoms/manifestations of my condition. My sex drive was gradually decreased to nothing, this was blamed on depression. I developed tachycardia that made it necessary to be placed on a beta blocker. I feel this medication has side effects should not be disregarded. I wouldn't want anyone to go through the hell I was in all year and have their experience dismissed by a professional the way did. I went from functional to existing. -Have been tapering myself off it very gradually... all side effects are resolving. I've never felt better or more grateful to have my mind and body back. I'd love to know who the pharmaceutical company paid off to play down these very real side effects. I'm down to 100mg daily: I am off the beta blocker, on half the dose of Ambien. All side effects are decreasing as dose decreases. I'm so grateful to have my life back. | F | 38 | 1 years 100mg 2X day | 5/13/2010 | 1 | bipolar depression | none | took with effexor had no reaction good or bad | F | 48 | 2 years 200mg 1X day | 5/25/2010 | 1 | bipolar | weight loss, headache, insomnia, hypomania, anorgasmia, severe headaches with orgasm, muscle aches, severe cognitive impairment | I had not experienced significant manic symptoms for over 20 years. After starting lamictal, I had 4 hypomanic episodes within 6 months, then crashed into bad depression. Did not notice any positive effects. Withdrawal has been difficult. 6 months after my last dose, I am still experiencing brain flashes. Pdoc put me on lithium to counteract the manias, so the cognitive impairment could have been from lamictal, lithium or both. It was extreme. I was tutoring my daughter on her math SAT. When I took the practice exam myself, I could not score above 440. Now that I've withdrawn, I'm back up in the mid 700s. It was more than just memory loss. I am in school now, and was getting As until I started on meds. I could not learn new concepts. The effects of this medication on me have been scary, and I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever get my normal self back. It also scares me that so many pdocs are not informed about the possible negative side-effects of this drug. | F | 52 | 1 years 100-200mg 1X day | 5/21/2010 | 1 | bi- polar | Frequent depression, headaches, nausea, and an overall feeling of anxiety and sadness. I became preoccupied with how I was feeling . I believe that I felt better only when I was able to overcome the drug's effects through my own determination. Sometimes though I just crashed into a tearful, despairing individual. It was awful. Doc's solution, raise dosage. This went on for several years. | This is a very toxic drug. On two occasions I took 2 in the am (200mg) by mistake and became severely ill. Tried to crawl into bed, vomited all over, and could not pick up the phone to call for help. Finally was able to stand and hoist myself into bed. I remained until I could function enough to clean up. This was just 100 mg extra in the am. If I became so sick from just that, what was the drug doing to my body on a day to day basis? I weaned myself off of it finally and am starting to feel human. Still taking zoloft 100 mg. Would not recommend this. I am disappointed that the doctors didn't go along with me on this. After a couple of years I did it slowly. | F | 67 | 5 years 100 3X day | 5/23/2010 | 1 | Constant, Daily Migraine | Concentration Loss, Stopped caring about everything, depression, fatigue, worsened headache | I've had a migraine every day for four years (non-stop) and I was given Lamictal as a new preventative... Headache has worsened, I've stopped caring about everything. I'm in college and can't concentrate in class... can't concentrate on homework. This medicine is definitely not the best.. | F | 21 | 7 days 25 mg 1X day | 2/21/2010 | 1 | Depression. | Hair loss, aching teeth, forcing tongue against teeth, weight gain, decreased sex drive, increased wrinkles and breakouts. | If you care about your hair...DO NOT TAKE LAMICTAL! My 16 year old daughter and I were both on this for depression and we both are losing our hair! She broke out in a rash over her entire body after the 12 day mark (25 MG) and discontinued it. I kept going until the increase from 25 MG to 50 MG. It's now the 17th day and I am discontinuing the drug after coming across this website. All of my symptoms I have been having are due to the medicine. My depression got worse from the hair loss and wrinkles! I am going to try an all natural diet (vegan / no gluten). Hopefully my hair will grow back! | F | 45 | 17 days 50 MG 1X day | 2/27/2010 | 1 | Borderline personality disorder/ | Some weight gain. Major anxiety. constantly feeling very aggrivated/impulsive/irational. insomnia. Lazyness. feelings of being scared, and sad, and angry. | I was prescribed lamictal for my anxiety and infrequent manic episodes, and also was told that it would help me sleep. I've been feeling more nervous on this medication then i was feeling before i was on it. i've also been acting crazy sometimes and i still have insomnia. i started out at 25mg and now im up to 400. my doctor just keeps on telling me that reason why i still dont feel "good" is because im not at the right dose yet, and that he wants to continue to increase it. but i feel like, if i havent seen any improvement at all, and im at 400 already - then maybe i shouldnt be taking it. in any case, i wouldnt reccomend this medication to anyone (but just cuz its bad for me, doesnt mean it will be bad for you). it has made me get into a of fights with the people who im closest to, and it has ended up ruining many of those relationships. | F | 22 | 2 years 400 mg 1X day | 4/22/2010 | 1 | Supposed bipolar 1 | Insomnia, SLEEP eating. People talk abt gaining weight. I think it's because we eat in our sleep. I can't keep any food in my kitchen bc j attack my food! Sounds funny but it really sucks! I've gained like 15 pounds!!!! I have also noticed memory loss...haven't noticed any change in my mood. Getting off this pain in the ass drug | F | 27 | 1 years 200mg 1X day | 5/10/2010 | 1 | Convulsive disorder | I started taking Lamictal so I could get off Valproic which cause weight gain. My hair has been falling out for 3 months. I'm almost completely bald. Thanks. | DON'T GO ON THIS DRUG. I should have been more weary about a drug that can cause life threatening rashes... | F | 28 | 1 months 3X day | 3/25/2010 | 1 | mood stabilizer | tired all day long,nausea...etc.. afraid to come off of it.. i have heard it has bad withdrawl symptoms | F | 30 | 8 months 35mg 1X day | 3/18/2010 | 1 | Bipolar | Very dizzy,nearly fainted several times.Drowsy & lethargic all day,but too uncomfortable & itchy to sleep at night.Had headache also & terrible rash on my face,neck & hands that looked disgusting & even after discontinuing the med is still present.Had swelling in glands & throat & fever too;went to ER & was given steroids & prescription strength Benadryl. Face still looks & feels terrible;dry but with red blisters on it. | I HATE THIS MEDICINE! Even after I stopped taking it,I am still suffering from it. I had shingles a few months ago & this feels almost like it's bringing it back...it's like fire ants or bees crawling under my skin,stinging me constantly. I can barely stand to look at my face in the mirror;it's freaking me out... ONLY take this as a last resort! | F | 49 | 14 days 75 1X day | 2/4/2011 | 1 | kidney pain | extreme itching (no rash though), sore dry eyes, nightmares, GI problems, headaches, weight loss, loss of coordination. Unexplained bruising and sore lips. | Feel like I'm being poisoned. Has done NOTHING for the pain, in fact feel like the pain has increased. The itching is intolerable, Benadryl does nothing for it. Doc wants to INCREASE the dosage, says I haven't reached the right level for pain relief...WTF?! It'll kill me by then...want off this garbage NOW. | F | 46 | 3 months 50 mg 2X day | 4/10/2011 | 1 | Depression | short term memory obliteration, dissociative self-harming episode, extreme cognitive impairment, insomnia, emotional numbness, feeling "drunk" but not in a good way | Didn't work for depression at all, though I don't tend to respond well to anti-convulsants as a class of medications, and am highly sensitive to side-effects. I will admit I'm glad I didn't get SJS or any type of rash while on Lamictal.. | F | 27 | 1 months 12.5 mg 1X day | 3/24/2011 | 1 | Depression | I had a Stevens-Johnson reaction to this medication that involved my liver, spleen, and my whole body in general. My skin peeled off from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. it was horrible. If you are allergic to any medication, do not take this drug. It was horrible and happened very quickly. The doctors in my local hospital failed to diagnose me and it almost cost me my life. Avoid this drug if you have EVER had any adverse reactions. | F | 44 | 10 days 10 mg 1X day | 4/2/2011 | 1 | bipolar | When tapering off, vivid nightmares. While on: menstrual cramps- my dr failed to warn me taking birth control interacts with lamictal. Birth control makes lamictal less effective, trouble forming thoughts, hair loss. | In addition to side effects, it was just not effective stabilizing my mood. | F | 32 | 5 months 400 mg 1X day | 4/8/2011 | 1 | seizures and to help sleep | I totally agree with the person who posted first. I had and am having terrible side effects... All of the ones he or she named plus I am seeing spots or shadows moving around. I am feeling really sad. I do not have any energy because I have lost my sensation to eat. I cannot taste food. My left side of my face is affected because of severe allergy problems. My whole body aches .. even as Im typing this my wrists are in pain. I have been getting migrains. It is difficult to see properly. The only thing that helps me is too concentrate to music or the lyrics of music... I also like to listen to books it helps me to fall asleep. BUT I WILL TELL YOU IT FEELS AS THOUGH IM NOT SLEEPING I HAVE TERRIBLE NIGHTMARES.. The only good thing about the nightmares is that I actually feel realizations in my life that need to be taken care of. iF THAT MAKES ANY SINCE. I feel so sad.. Im very weary of people and there intentions.... I hesitate before making descisions longer than I should maybe out o | horrible drug. | F | 23 | 3 weeks 100mg 2X day | 4/3/2011 | 1 | Bipolar | Headaches, sore throat, runny nose, cough, jaw clenching, all of a sudden (within 4 weeks) my skin started sagging and I am developing wrinkles in my face (my skin in my face feels totally different), lower back pain, trouble swallowing, extremely dry mouth, unexplainable rashes, red blotches, tongue pushes against my front teeth, peeling spots on my fingers, sore painful fingertips and the skin actually breaks, weight gain which I can't get off even though I monitor my food intake and I work out, trouble sleeping and/or staying asleep, feel like I am in a fogg all the time, feel tired and lazy and unmotivated all the time, difficulty focusing and remembering things, feels like I have lost half of my vocabulary, short term memory loss. | I should have quit taking this stuff in January of this year when I had these red blotches all over my body for the first time. I though agreed to try it again. Wished I wouldn't have. I believe this med has a negative sideeffect on my skin, especially face area. Really upsets me because I used to have great skin until 4 weeks ago and NO wrinkles at all. This is crazy. And I have to live with this now for the rest of my life! I will never take this med again. Anybody else experiences this skin change and sudden wrinkle development too???? I quit it about 2 days ago, hopefully some of this crap will return to normal. I have no hope though! I am so upset! | F | 42 | 6 months 200 mgs 1X day | 4/16/2011 |