LAMICTAL Reviews (LAMOTRIGINE)Average Rating: 3.4 (1917 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare LAMICTAL with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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More on LAMICTAL: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR LAMICTAL | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 3 | Anxiety | Weight gain...and I have never had a problem with weight before. | This worked really well at controlling my anxiety... However it made me depressed because I became FAT!! | F | 40 | 8 months | 5/13/2015 | 3 | bipolar | dry mouth, body aches during first month or so | This has been my sole mood stabilizer for bipolar illness, along w/ an AD, AA, & AP. A dose of 100mg did absolutely nothing, but my current dose of 300mg seems to be doing some good in conjunction with my other meds. | F | 24 | 8 months | 5/9/2007 | 3 | bipolar | dry mouth, body aches during first month or so | This has been my sole mood stabilizer for bipolar illness, along w/ an AD, AA, & AP. A dose of 100mg did absolutely nothing, but my current dose of 300mg seems to be doing some good in conjunction with my other meds. | F | 24 | 8 months | 5/9/2007 | 3 | Bipolar | I've noticed most medication prescribed for bipolar to have the same 'basic' side-effects, which, for me, includes: dizziness when standing up, followed by blurred vision & ringing in the ears -I usually just sit/lie down on the spot and it goes away- to avoid fainting. Stiff muscles, especially in my legs when e.g. climbing stairs, stiff neck, frequent headaches (usual I don't require pain pills), heart palpitations & hot flushes (usually at night). After adding Lamictal to my pill cocktail (Concerta; Edronax; Seroquel; Serlife & Diane) I haven't noticed much change in my usual side-effects (permanent) -however, increased night sweats (wake up soaked) & still the occasional moodswing (from neutral to crying in a matter of seconds -this usually occurred late afternoon, so I decided to take my night dose of Lamictam earlier -this works for me) -note,I find all these side effects to be minor in the long run, although you need to adapt your lifestyle somewhat, these sy | My weight has remained constant -I lost my appetite once I started bipolar medication 2 years ago (originally lost 14kg's less than two months), so I haven't experienced Lamictal to affect weight. Lamictal related: I've become increasingly anti-social and rarely leave the house, however, being 21 years old, I guess this keeps me out of trouble. Positive: I've become increasingly interested in and focussed when studying, it seems I've gained some drive and determination. As for fatique, I've always been tired, and my dreams have always been vivid. All in all, I honestly don't know whether or not Lamictal has influenced me, either positively, or negatively. I noticed that my skin scars easily which sucks, and have to avoid picking(have always had problem skin)and shave extra carefully. Even scratching a mosquito bite leaves a scar. I have recently been developing a rather odd symtom, which is most probably Lamictal-related, so it's off to the doctor tomorrow -started as a stinging-feeling in my feet if I walk on uneven surfaces (most noticeable on rough carpet) has become worse, almost permanent, increasingly painful tingling (like pins and needles) in both feet, as well as bumps (feels like the swollen lymph nodes in your neck) appearing on my feet. I'm hoping it's nothing serious, since stopping Lamictal, from experience, physically makes you so sick that you feel like you're dying a slow, painful death. Lamicatal is for life. | F | 21 | 8 months 150 mg 2X day | 1/16/2011 | 3 | Bipolar II, PTSD, Anxiety, Insomnia | Involuntary eye movement, swollen lymph nodes/glands, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, couldn't articulate to save my life, slurred speech, itching, dry mouth (upon withdrawal), insomnia (upon withdrawal), bad anxiety (upon withdrawal) | originally, I was very satisfied with this drug. It helped me sleep, took care of my moods, I was stable, my anxiety was gone. It was wonderful. I had some interesting side effects which I thought I could live with until I discovered swollen glands. My pdoc never heard of it before, so I went to the doctor and had several tests done just to be told I am perfectly healthy and I need to stop taking the drug. The withdrawal of this drug is SO bad it felt like I was dying. It shot me off so badly into the deep end, I am now far worse than I was BEFORE I took the drug. I still experience insomnia (though my pdoc now put me on valproate 400mg and seroquel 50mg which does wonders for the insomnia) but my anxiety is really bad and my eye vision is not what it used to be (i struggle to move my eyes quickly). My lymph nodes are STILL not gone which terrifies me and I probably have to go back and get more tests done (not sure what more they can do AS I AM PERFECTLY HEALTHY). I advise strong caution when using this drug, or considering using it. It can work great for some but completely terrible for others. It's a very dependent drug and the addiction is bad. In the end I think the risks are just too great, there are many other wonderful drugs to be taken for bipolar, lamictal is not the only one out there. | F | 22 | 8 months 100 2X day | 11/25/2012 | 2 | Bipolar | Massive Weight Loss (40 Pounds) shaky hands, memory loss, ache, HAIR LOSS, feeling full all the time, blurred vision | I didn't realize that it was my Lamictal that was causing me to lose the weight that I was. I was 176 pounds and now I weigh 133 that's a 43 drop and my body is not suppose to be 133; I look sick. I also suffer from bad Ache which I am now on an ache medicine to help. I have blurred vision which I thought was from me having Lasik surgery and come to find out it is another side effect of Lamictal. The drug seems to have helped with my mood swings I just can't take the side effects any longer. I look sick and when people see me they seem uncomfortable around me, I can only imagine what they are thinking. I have had to use the excuse that I am on Weight Watchers that's why I have lost so much weight(I don't think that it is anyone's biz that I am bipolar). I wish I didn't suffer from almost all of the side effects that Lamictal has...I guess I should be happy that I didn't get the terrible rash that it can cause. Hopefully once I am off of Lamictal and it has left my system some of my weight will come back, my hair will stop falling out, my vision will become clear and my ache will go away. Its sad because taking it I felt so much more clear and calm:(. If you don't get the side effects that I suffered from its a great drug for bipolar! | F | 37 | 8 months 100MG 1X day | 8/30/2013 | 2 | Bipolar II - Mood Disorder | My skin was clear until I started taking Lamictal. Almost immediately, I experienced acne on my face, neck, chest and back. At lower doses, I experienced insomnia, lack of appetite, headaches, was accident prone and noticed my misspellings with my typing. At higher doses, I started having problems with my eyes, dry eye, uveitis/iritis, break-through bleeding while on birth control, migraines, pressure inside my head, extreme fatigue and sleepiness during the day despite consumption of massive amounts of caffeine. | At a lower dose I noticed that my moods were evening out and that my highs and lows were muted. But at higher doses, I experienced more erratic mood swings, coupled by unexplained crying and meltdowns. In the end, I started feeling so terrible that I felt like I hit a wall and could not go on. It was at this point that I decided it would be best to taper down on Lamictal immediately. It's simply not the miracle drug for me. | F | 36 | 8 months | 6/22/2007 | 2 | Bipolar Disorder | One MAJOR side-effect -- and I do mean major -- was an increased sex-drive. While some may think, what's the problem with that, let me submit that for the 8 months I've been using this medication I've racked up close to $3,000 in internet porn fees, i.e., memberships, dvds, and so forth. Sorta kinda think that's overkill. The good news is I'll now be weaning off the med: Lamictal was prescribed to me to get me through 6 months of Interferon/Ribivarin treatment for the Hep-C I'd contacted. Well, the treatment was a success -- thank God, and I no longer "need" nor do I want this med in my body anymore. My bipolar stuff ain't gonna kill me; it may be handled sans meds. | Let the prescribee decide. | M | 66 | 8 months | 9/16/2009 | 2 | Epilepsy | Memory loss, fatigue, severe nighttime jaw clenching, acne. I have heat and sun sensitivity - I hate being outside in the heat, and I'm unable to sit outside at all without getting severely sunburned. I am unable to put into words what I want to say, and it's hard for me to remember how to spell things. Loss of sex drive, moody, cry easily. | I was on an extremely high dosage, but now I'm down to 100 mg twice a day. The Lamictal wasn't helping at all, but Keppra 1000mg twice a day was added, so I've been completely seizure free for 6 months. I would like to go completely off the Lamictal, but my doctor doesn't want me to. I guess he knows best, though! | F | 30 | 8 months | 7/21/2008 | 1 | Depression/Anxiety | I currently experience increased anxiety. Insomnia, disturbing dreams and intrusive thoughts. I suffered from cystic acne for several months. Weight loss, memory loss and a hard time concentrating. I have felt very agitated and am in a state of panic in the mornings. | I was recommended to stay on the medication despite expressing my concerns to my doctor. It is not until I expressed how I as having memory problems that he finally agreed to stop the medication. This medication may be helpful to some patients but has had no benefit to my well-being and in-fact completely changed my ability to be productive or enjoy each day. I am greatful to have found this site and to read other peoples comments and side effects and to know that I am not alone. | F | 49 | 8 months 300mg 1X day | 10/27/2022 | 1 | Unspecified bipolar | Memory loss short and long term total panic attacks and almost completely changed personality and mood swings. Pain in my joints like knees and elbows and neck. Terrible nightmares playing me. I feel like I can't control my emotions or my own thoughts they come and interrupt me everywhere invasive and obsessive. I am always confused and in a haze, my relationships are deteriorating and I hate myself. | I am getting off it very slowly titrating down over like 3 months so far everything has just gotten worse. I just took my last dose yesterday so hopefully things will look up! I need my creativity and personality back. I can't live this way. | F | 23 | 8 months 100 mg 1X day | 3/20/2022 | 1 | BPD | Horrible brain fog, unable to think, fired from job in CA and had to move back to CO. Anxiety, nausea, stomach cramps, migraines, extreme hip pain, sciatia, horrible acne, dry mouth, insomnia, RLS and severe mode swings. Stopped taking 1 week ago. | F | 49 | 8 months 50mg 1X day | 9/12/2022 | 1 | Depression, Anxiety, Mood Swings | Huge mood swings, if I put something down I'd immediately forget what it was and where I had put it (this extreme forgetfulness was perhaps the worst of the side effects-and I noticed it worsened when I increased the dose), depression, unmotivation. | I was around 18-19 when I took Lamictal. | F | 21 | 8 months 150 MG 1X day | 10/4/2011 | 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 | 5 | Bi-Polar II | The big one is the zoned out feeling, can't find my words, slight stuttering, headaches, dizziness, mood swings increased acne, increased libido. | This is my first medication. All the side effects leveled off around 5-6 months. It was really tough to come on. I got bad headaches each time the dosage increased. I got violent mood swings that would change multiple times a day. I felt really crazy for a few weeks. I would get completely depressed, happy, angry all within a few hours and with the littlest reason. I would recommend that you have a good support system in place as you work up to the appropriate dosage. Unlike others, I actually got a huge sex drive boost, which while it sounds good, was difficult to manage and quite frustrating for my significant other as well as myself. Having said all that, the results are amazing. I feel so much more in control of my life and my emotions now. I can think clearly and get through my day better. I can experience emotions without letting them ruin my life. I can feel depressed and still manage my life and my job. | M | 31 | 7 months | 3/4/2007 | 5 | Bipolar I | none | I am taking 100MG twice a day and my mood has become very stable with the exception of a few bouts of mild depression. | F | 15 | 7 months | 8/23/2007 | 5 | bipolar | 200 mg a day (along with 300 of effexor) excessive sweating, extreme night sweats (wake up with wet sheets from it), very vivid dreams. started at 12.5 mg and doubled it every 2 weeks. first three days after increasing a dose had strange tingling/electrical shock feelings especially in my limbs, as well as dizzyness. went away but comes back if i miss a dose for a day...which is kind of good cuz then i make sure not to miss. i have a feeling that i will have to be weened off VERY slowly. | the good definitly outweighs the bad with this medicine. i still cry easily. but definitly not like it used to be | F | 20 | 7 months | 8/28/2004 | 5 | bipolar 1 | AWFUL short term memory loss and constantly searching for words . The first 2 weeks were difficult, rapid cycling and hypomania but evened out at week 3. Hair breakage, but my fingernails are hard as rocks. Loss of appetite for the first 3 months, back to normal now. | I was misdiagnosed with depression 1 for over 13 years and went through every SSRI known to man until I was prescribed effexor. I became a veritable zombie, gained 30 pounds, sustained liver damage and withdrew from the world. I have a BS and psych and eventually the light bulb went on and I took the Goldburg's depression scale. I brought the results to a psychiatrist and she agreed with my self diagnosis. I began at 50 mg of Lamictal and am now at 125. The memory loss is incredibly bothersome but it's saved my life in more ways than one so I'll continue until the disease progresses. Hope this helps and good luck. | F | 31 | 7 months | 10/26/2006 | 5 | bipolar disorder | clumsy, trouble finding words when speaking, always thirsty, I CAN'T CRY. | this drug has been amazing, totally changed my life. i can actually function in the world. the inability to cry is really disturbing, however. | F | 20 | 7 months | 7/23/2006 | 5 | Mood | None | It saved my life. | F | 20 | 7 months 300 mg 3X day | 8/19/2015 |