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 length of time drug was taken longest to shortest. 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 | Fast cycling depression/bipolar II | Vertigo, headaches, clumsiness, confusion, short term memory issues, mood spikes, increased appetite, zoned out feeling, acne increase, going from a week of teenage style horniness to not wanting to at all. Basically everything you can imagine but the rash. But, overall my depression is getting better. | This is the first medication I've been on. When I've upped the dosage I got a week of feeling great, then slowly I would start getting crazy mood fluctuations that spiked all over the place. I began overreacting to things and I had no clue why. Sometimes I would cry, get angry or depressed without a trigger, or with a mild trigger. I would be confused about it. I could see that it wasn't a proper reaction, but it was so overwhelming I had a hard time coping. It's getting better as I learn. I used to not be able to tell it was an overreaction. I am much more hopeful than before. | M | 31 | 11 weeks | 12/1/2006 | 5 | bipolar disorder, severe depression | hot flashes and night sweats, irritability, several awakenings after falling asleep before I get to sleep, sinus congestion w/headache, dry mouth | Began at 25 mg - increased to 50 mg in 2 weeks and felt wonderful and energetic. At 5 weeks began 75 mg and became irritable and I was contributing greatly to global warming. Notified Dr. and dosage was increased to 100 mg - Became more aggressive w/increased night sweats, depression and morning crying jags. I was feeling hopeless again. I decreased dosage to 50 mg and a week later was feeling much better. The lower dosage works better for me and I'm willing to tolerate side effects that I consider minor when compared to depression and suicidal thoughts. I'm also taking Neurontin 2400 mg daily (great for lessening pain, helping w/sleep, rage and anxiety), Prozac 10 mg daily (works well for the depression). I should also mention I'm also being treated for PTSD. | F | 56 | 10 weeks | 9/10/2005 | 5 | depression / mild bi polar | a little hyper the first 2 weeks but it wore off | I am not sure if it is the lamictal, much prayer, I believe both, but I can't remember feeling so normal and energetic within a week to 10 days after I started. I was supposed to step to 100 mg, but felt so good I never increased and the doc is fine with it. No side effects at all. I even like my job now, and regained hope and enjoy life again. First drug I ever stayed on more than a few days, I tried several but had bad reactions and I feared drugs. I got over it and stuck with it and glad I did. | M | 54 | 10 weeks 50mg 1X day | 3/9/2011 | 5 | bi polar | none this medicine saved my life at a time when my bi polar was out of control. I had to be hospitalized and was started on this and it really regulated my moods | daydreaming | F | 28 | 9 weeks | 2/11/2008 | 4 | bi-polar 2 | None yet,some symptoms that I can't say if they are from ageing(eg memory problems I already had), aching on waking or sitting still for a long time. Some may be from other like it is winter and i developed chilblains on my fingers which we first thought was 'the Rash". Also had tender breasts and a longer period than usual but this may be early menopause. Slightly itchy back of neck. Nothing too major so far and I started on 100mg a day. | Have been feeling the most stable I have felt in a long while. I seem to be a lot more tolerant with my 5 and 8 year old children and don't seem to have such severe volatile outbursts.I hope this continues as my marriage was being severely affected. | F | 43 | 9 weeks 100 1X day | 7/12/2011 | 4 | anxiety | I'm going lower to 50 mg and may go off it because of the sensation like I can't breathe right, and I can't inhale deeply, and at times I feel like I'm going to faint. My doctor says it's from anxiety caused by me (not as a side effect of this medication). I've had this smothering feeling since starting 50 mg on the starter pack. Other than that no side effects. | It helped me with being easily distracted but other than that I had no noticeable positive effects. | F | 27 | 9 weeks 100mg 1X day | 9/15/2010 | 4 | Bipolar 2 and FM | Hair loss, weight gain, headaches | This is an update - I'm still giving this a 4 even though I have to go off it. It helped my mood a lot, but not enough to lose as much hair as I have. From looking at the reviews , this seems to be a problem for older women more than anyone? But I still think its a good drug. Ive lost 1/3rd of my hair thickness, though, in only 9 weeks, and gained a pound a week. Feeling fat and thinning hair doesnt help my depression either, so ultimately this drug doesnt do what I need it to for me. Ive always had thick hair, and a good metabolism no matter what med I was on, so I know its the Lamictal. Too bad, because the mood benefits were good. | F | 46 | 9 weeks | 4/14/2007 | 3 | Mood Swings/Depression | Congestion, Dry Mouth, Headaches, restless sleep, bad dreams and intrusive thoughts. | Started very low dosage, immediately got congestion and flu like symptoms which lessened after two weeks. Increased dosage to 25mg for two weeks, felt good, very stable no mood swings, however some anxious intrusive thoughts that I couldn't shake. Increased dosage to 37.5mg, congestion worse, sleeping bad, bad dreams, headaches, depression and intrusive thoughts constantly. Also I have noticed I can't spell sometimes, and can't think of words that I used to use all the time. Is it possible that I am now on too high a dosage? I am seeing my doctor this week but have already gone back to taking 25mg. I started taking it because I had been on Prozac for ten years and it wasn't working for me anymore, also I was tierd of sexual side effects. I am still taking the prozac, but was supposed to be going off it once the Lamictal kicked in. Now I don't know what to try!!! | F | 39 | 9 weeks | 5/23/2005 | 2 | Depression | Increased Sweating, Headaches, Weight Loss, Increased Irritability, Fatigue | I’ve been on anti-depressants for many many years. It is incredibly frustrating when your doctor does not acknowledge the side effects you are experiencing are related to a medication change. I am so glad other people mentioned the sweating...my doctor refused to believe it was related to the medication. | F | 26 | 9 weeks | 6/28/2006 | 5 | In the very begining of taking it, 25mg a day, I had a continuous mild headache. this lessened over the first couple of weeks and I've had no side effects since. | My wife and I have noticed a big difference in my behavior and my ability to handle stressful situations. This was when I got to the level of 200mg/day. My doctor had me increase up to 300mg/day but we don't notice any improvement over the 200mg/day. On my next appointment I am going to ask the doctor if we should drop back down to the 200mg level. Does anyone have any advise to share on how to determine the correct dosage? Thanks | M | 42 | 8 weeks | 3/7/2008 | 5 | mood stabilizer, anti-convulsant | None really...at least not really noticeable. | I am taking a combination of: cymbalta (for depression), lamictal, as a mood stabilizer/anti-convulsant, and keppra, stictly for grand-mal seizures of the photosensitive-sort. I also have a mood-disorder, and think my depression is genetic. This is the best I've ever felt in my life thus far with all of my trials with several different med. combinations! I have tried about them all! Lamictal in regards to balancing out my mood has stopped my problem with psychosis. I feel better, and have happy days most of the time, but today seems to be lethargic, and not such a good day, but most of them are! I am very satisfied with my results...take 60mg of cymbalta per day, 150mg twice a day with lamictal, and take 500mg twice daily in regards to keppra. I no longer have rapid eye-blinks, and function without seizure activity in the sun. Maybe I'll be able to drive again. I want to see how I do in the sun during this spring/summer 2010. Cymbalta was the first drug to ever work for my depression. Keppra worked fairly well for my seizure-disorder, however I knew I needed more seizure control. Before lamictal my moods were rapidly cycling, or so it seemed, and I was very sleepy, unenergetic, and my memory was not as great as I remember it to be when I was a straight A student. Now, I finally feel healed of all my major health issues! I am very pleased, blessed, and grateful to all those that helped me get here. It took twenty years, or so of searching for answers, but final | F | 35 | 8 weeks | 1/21/2010 | 4 | Bipolar 1 Disorder | increased and more frequent and urgent needs to urinate | it is pretty good so far. i am on 150 starting 200 tonght i beleive..no rash and everything else is fine. i feel less depressed actually i do not feel depressed at all. | F | 19 | 8 weeks | 1/21/2007 | 4 | Bipolar I | short term memory loss (i'll put a book down, or put my keys down, and then a minute later i'll forget where they are); a little trouble with typing, which has never been a problem for me; loss of appetite after about 4 weeks, which resulted in weight loss (much needed and appreciated after so many pils making me gain weight); excessive shedding of hair; nails are stronger. | For the hair loss: i took one person's comment on here to use a SELENIUM based shampoo... AND IT WORKS! do it, do it, do it! for the loss of appetite, it's good for the weight loss (has anybody else experienced weight loss on this thing?) but the problem is i have to force myself to eat every day, which isn't fun--i'm cold a lot, and i have less energy because of it. however, it seems to be helping. anybody feel free to email me. | F | 20 | 8 weeks | 5/31/2007 | 3 | Bi Polar II | No side effects UNTIL I got to 200mg once daily. (also taking Paxil 20mg and Wellbutin 300mg) Now I have a horrible acne like rash across entire chest, itching in my eyes, sinus drainage and a sore throat. Nausea in the am and soaking night sweats along with increased body odor. Some dizziness when getting up too fast. | I've had good results with stabilizing my moods, however the side effects are making me wonder if the | F | 38 | 8 weeks | 4/25/2005 | 3 | bipolar 2 and FM | This is too add to my previous review. After 8 weeks on it I've realized that its really making me gain weight more than I think I can deal with 6-7 lbs in 6 weeks - That doesnt bode well for me for being on it long term. I have back problems and body pain which is inceased by weight gain, so I may go off it, although I am much more stable emotionally, crying a LOT less. Its a hard tradeoff and I havent decided yet. Also, I cant afford at all to replace my wardrobe! I still think its a very good drug, though for those who dont have too many side effects Please dont let my or others' weight gain put you off from trying it , since it might not have that affect on you. | F | 46 | 8 weeks | 4/4/2007 | 3 | unipolar depression | word loss, short-term memory loss,confusion slight paranoia, fatigue mid-afternoon, mild headache and jaw-ache, dry mouth and constipation, vivid sometimes sexy dreams, increased libido, feel like I'm feverish sometimes. | Even though I am experiencing some neg side effects, my mood has improved. I am less irritable, less screaming at family, mood is stabilizing somewhat. Took 8 weeks to go from 25 mg to 100mg due to my sensitivity to some meds. I will continue at 100mg dose for a while -- I don't want to increase dose to 150MG yet (which is supposed to be the therapeutic dose). I think it may actually be helping. Except for memory loss/forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, the other side effects are tolerable. Hoping the forgetfulness goes away | F | 50 | 8 weeks | 9/22/2009 | 3 | Seizures | Burning on abdomen like an actual burn. Wake me up diring night. No rash. Just like bad sunburn type burning. | Been taking for8 weeks | F | 44 | 8 weeks | 4/7/2009 | 2 | depression, mood swings | For most folks, this is a miracle drug. For me, it seemed to not be doing much of anything. Seemed, I say, because I began having frequent blackouts, periods of intensely violent and evil feelings that I can only describe as psychopathic... utter indifference to my surroundings and the people therein. If combined with alcohol... ANY alcohol... the symptoms were much much worse. Christmas this year was passed with a psychotically violent and abusive episode that has hurt my family tremendously and that I cannot in any way recall. | For most folks, the drug works miracles. I am guessing that I've been hastily diagnosed and don't really need medication at all, which is why this stuff has had such adverse effect on me. | M | 41 | 8 weeks | 12/28/2006 | 1 | seizures | destroyed my son's liver. He had to have a liver transplant. Caused him to be totally disabled | M | 18 | 8 weeks | 1/4/2005 | 1 | bipoler | Stiff neck, sencetivity to light,white sores in mouth,tremor,back pain,fatigue,sweating,diarrhea and costipation,flu like systoms,a zombie,low grade fever,sweating,blurred vision,weakness,very irtated | F | 47 | 8 weeks 100mg | 8/6/2012 |