LAMICTAL Reviews (LAMOTRIGINE)

Average Rating: 3.4 (1917 Ratings)

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 ANTICONVULSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

LAMICTAL  (LAMOTRIGINE):  Lamotrigine is used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures. It may also be used to help prevent the extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder in adults. Lamotrigine is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug. It is thought to work by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain. This drug is not approved for use in children younger than 2 years due to an increased risk of side effects (such as infections).   FDA Approval Date: 1994-12-27 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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More on LAMICTAL: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR LAMICTALCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 1  Bipolar I Terrible, suicidal feelings at the beginning of my period, irregular period; very scary and new to me. Am also taking lithium which I took for years with no problems. Was not prepared for this side effect and had to search to find it listed as a "rare" complication. Now in trying to taper off am having headaches, vomiting, suicidal depression,etc. F 39 7 months
6/4/2006
 1  Bi Polar Type 2 NEUROLOGICAL: 1) decrease in ability to think clearly, analytically, 2) forgetfulness, 3) slurred speech; 4) inability to remember words or use a word in its correct context; 5) increased neuropathy of left arm and hand and extremities. METABOLIC 1) increase in appetite and alarming weight re-distribution -- particularly higher stomach with pressure on diaphragm; 2) chronic leg pain and increased inability or extreme discomfort in walking -- gait compromised 3) even considering my weight gain (11 pounds) disproportionatly marked shortness of breath and extreme lack of endurance - while conducting even the simplest of tasks: tying my shoes - picking up plates. 4) increased arthritis/bursitis ... can't even snap my fingers. 5) back pain 6) increased insomnia (a chronic problem for me, however) 7) excessive perspiration even after doing simplest of activities I'm extremely sensative to chemical changes in my body. Because of this I seldom drink and take medications as infrequently as possible. I've been on various cocktails over the course of the last 4 years -- each with various degrees of success and each eventually "toxifying" in my system (my term) wherein I need to adjust/end meds. Most recently, for over one year, I've taken Welbutrin XL 300 mg, 10 mg of Imipramine and Lamactal, only once a day. About 3 months ago I was instructed to take only Lamictal -- started with 1/4 tablet ..now up to 1/2 tablet per day. Over the last few weeks I've experienced an alarming increase in neurological, motor and respiratory problems. I finally decided to look up some of the possible side effects today and am now convinced my symptoms are in large part attributable to the drug: Some of the above ARE a result of increasing middle-age and my weight gain. Yet, I've been my current weight quite a number of times over the last few year M 51 5 years
5/31/2006
 1  Bipolar Deserves a zero rating. Horrible M 28 3 months
5/15/2006
 1  BiPolar 2 I had 4 pre-existing, minor "problems" that were greatly exacerbated after taking Lamictal. 3 problems appeared rather quickly. One took 5 months to be noticed. Rhinitis, semi-severe cystic Acne, vaginal bacterial syndrome (after 10 years with my husband only), and short-term memory loss. They have all been horrible to deal with, but the memory loss has truly been a threat to my self-reliance in terms of work. I do accounting. Oh, yes. I can't remember which word to use when speaking and it takes me sooooo much longer to communicate than ever before (I was very snappy and precise, mostly.) I am quitting this drug even though there aren't any better alternatives, yet, for my diagnosis. I need to be able to do an efficient job, and cannot constantly rely on others to remember things of significance for me. F 46 365 days
5/11/2006
 1  partial complex seizures Increased seizures; memory/cognitive problems; drowsiness; trouble "finding" words; blood sugar problems; interacted with birth control, the bc inhibited the metabolism of the Lamictal, so my doctor increased my dose, but when I stopped the bc, my blood sugar went crazy; other lesser side effects, minor night sweats at beginning of treatment, having to use the bathroom more frequently. The biggest problem that I had with this drug was that it exacerbated my seizures. I was originally on Depakote, which completely controlled my seizures, but I did not like the "druggy" feeling it gave me (drowsiness, cognitive difficulties), so my doctor put me on Carbotrol. This slowly increased my seizures until I was experiencing 3-4 weekly, so my doctor switched me to Lamictal, which has made things even worse: I'm lucky if I go for two days seizure-free; mostly, I have one or two in a day, sometimes three or four, but on the worst days, 5 or 6. Now, I've asked to be put back on the Depakote (esp. since the Lamictal comes with the same side effects but worsens my seizures). F 23 5 days
5/8/2006
 1  Seizures my son was on Lamictal for approximately 4months. He experienced, hallucinations, more seizures, nightmares, loss of speech, loss of coordination, sleepiness, headaches, weight loss. He was up to a dose of 275mg per day. It was the worst experience. Once stopped the hallucinations stopped, speech and coordination returned, nightmares gone. I wouldnt recommend this for children at all. Do not use in children. M 7 4 months
4/12/2006
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 1  depression Lamictal at 12.5 mg/day, half of recommended starting dose. Developed sharp ear pain with associated painful headache on day 3. Pain started in cartilage of outer ear (antihelix) and progressed to inner ear over the course of a week, with swallowing pain. Added 400 mg/day ibuprophen on day 4, to no effect. Symptoms became too severe on day 7; discontinued dosing; symptoms subsided fully within 48 hours. Change your life, not your chemistry. M 26 7 days
3/15/2006
 1  bipolar confusion and sickness for the first 2 months Had absolutely no effect at all - compliance was simple as there were no side effects but the medication had no impact on the my mood. F 26 1 years
3/11/2006
 1  Bipolar and depression Lamictal did far more bad than it did good for me. When I left the hospital and was prescribed lamictal twice a day and respridal once a day, I was in somewhat of a depressed state. After a few days of taking the medicine, I felt as if my mind was dull. It got so bad that I got fired from my job because I zoned out and knocked into a customers table. Also, the lamictal made my insomnia worse. Even with the sleep effects of respridal, the lamictal made me stay up for days in a row. Definitely not a good pill. M 17 1 months
3/10/2006
 1  seizures SEVERE SWEATING, GI problems, insomnia, severe tremors, flu like symptoms, headaches, increased seizures, depression, itching I had to stop Topamax that I had been on for 2 years due to kidney failure. Started Lamictal at 25mg increase up to 100mg. The side effects were apparent from the start.The night sweats were unbearable. Would wake up soaked and increase heart rate and blood pressure. Slept a sum of 3 hours per night most of the time, sometimes up for 48 hours. GI problems persist after stopping the drug.(Severe stomach pain) I hated being on this drug. Good thing I have a neuro dr. who listens! F 44 6 weeks
2/21/2006
 1  epilepsy I started this stuff very slowly and cautiously, as I had had nasty side effects before with other drugs. Once I increased my dose to a certain level, I found I began to feel extremely anxious, and by the time I was nearly at the maintenance dose I felt perpetually incredibly anxious, stressed, and freaked out. All the time all day long I had total deep mind and body stress and anxiety, so physical that I can only compare it to that freak feeling you get when you just dodge being hit by a car, and you feel so freaked out. I ended up calling up the nurses sobbing uncontrollably begging them to help me, to help me oh please god help me!!!, and finally quit taking the stuff without permission and immediately saw all the freak out anxiety disappear. Anxiety was the only side effect I had. After that I started taking Neuronton, and the only thing that has done to me is to make me feel happy. For me it was hard core horrid, truly horrible horrible horrible. F 27 2 months
2/3/2006
 1  BiPolar Rash, covered all of body Discontinued use, no effect on issue F 1.5 weeks
11/20/2005
 1  seizures dizziness, irritability, spacing out, hip pain, stomach pain, drowzy, horrible headaches, intense dreaming, night sweats, tonight I got a rash...red and mild all over chest arms and legs, legs are swollen too. Will never take it again, this stuff can kill your spirit if not yourself, I just called my doctor, and I am terrified!!! he said that I might have to be put on a steroid treatment for the rash...WHAT?? F 34 25 days
9/15/2005
 1  Bi - polar mania INSOMNIA!!!! Terrible insomnia! And also an increased level of anxiety. In addition to the side effects, Lamictal did absolutely nothing as far as helping the condition which it was intended to treat. M 27 3 months
7/24/2005
 1  very advanced seizure disorder i had so many side affects that all of them couldn't be listed but here are the worse: short and long term memory problems,problems with weight,no concentration,vision,reading,very impulsive which isn't like me.irritable as well which isn't my charater,made my seizures worse,i felt like that my brain was cottage cheese-nothing there. this drug should be banned and as well a year a go i had an implant for seizures called an vagus nerve stimulator made and researched by cyberontics co. if anybody is intersted check it out for it lowered my seizures from 400 a day down to an bearable amt, if want to talk to me about it. feel free to e-mail me. M 42 3 days
7/13/2005
 1  Seizures Onset of new seizures, skin-crawling, vision problems, hyperactivity, nervousness, sleep problems, suspect hallucinations, new frontal lobe EEG abnormalities, rash, sores in mouth, mood changes, extreme clumsiness/off-balance Made my son (and me) crazy -- turned my happy 2 year old into a whiney miserable ball of nervousness in 6 short weeks while trying to slowly increase dosage (never got anywhere near a theraputic level) -- son was grabbing for things in the air that did not exsist and was trying to climb through walls. New onset seizures since going on lamictal, and EEG abnormalities of the frontal lobe when all previous EEG's were normal. M 2 6 weeks
6/8/2005
 1  seisures I was in lawschool and decided to switch from Dilantin to Lamictal because my Doctor said that lamictal did not create the drowsiness associated with dilantin. The Doctor was dead wrong. I went off the medication after just 4 months because I was always sleepy and my brain ceased the ability to concentrate. I had to read the same sentence over and over again just to understand a single sentence, but under Dilantin, my reading comprehension was extremely high (I could read without re-reading sentences) as evidenced by my above average grades and high LSAT scores. My average dropped from a high B from previous semesters to a pathetic C-. Once a went back to Dilantin my cognitive function improved, and I went back to making B's (which in lawschool is pretty good). Also, Lamictal made me indifferent to the world around me, not good if your competitive. This medication might make your brain slow down and cause you to be indifferent to anything that happens to you. Do not use this medication, especially if you think it will help your cognitive abilities and you are in a competitive academic field. M 4 months
6/2/2005
 1  seisures I had a seisure under this medication because unlike many other epilepsy drugs this drug cannot be monitored for drug levels. Instead, you find out whether you have the right dose by whether you have a seizure or not! My initial dose was too low, so I had a seizure. Also, this drug made me extremely sleepy and slowed my brain functions down considerably. Slows down brain function, makes you tired, can't be monitored=BAD! M 5 months
6/2/2005
 1  Bipolar severe aniexty, depression, sadness, shakiness,dizziness.. This went on for many many months.. I trusted my Dr. I kept thinking it had to get better.. I wanted to get better. I thought it had to. it lead to suicidal thoughts.. i was monitored monthly by a Dr. I told him what was going on, he kept upping my dosage.. I was up to 400 mg.. He put me on respirdal with it, and 2 weeks later, I was inpatient with suicidal thoughts and ended up at 4 winds Mental Hospital. I am not on topamax and doing very well. some meds dont mix well with everyones brain chemistry. this medicine is not for everyone F 36 8 days
5/16/2005
 1  Bi-polar Dry mouth, head ache for 6 weeks straight, sleep problems When I first started taking lamictal I was grateful it was available. I felt more in control and was having less issues with the bi-polar symptoms, then the doctor increased my dosage and within a two week time frame The headache started and I have been on a horrible and painful rollercoaster ever since. Now I am trying Depakote. F 38 7 months
4/30/2005

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