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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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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More on LAMICTAL: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR LAMICTALCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 1  Seizures HAIR LOSS IS MY MAIN CONCERN ON THIS POST I AM TAKING 200 MG 2X'S A DAY FOR A SEIZURE DISORDER MY SEIZURES ONLY HAPPEN @ NIGHT WHEN I SLEEP. I HAVE ONLY HAD MAYBE 10 SEIZURES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.............. I HAVE BEEN ON LAMICTAL FOR 5 YEARS I HAVE A POST HERE ALREADY ABOUT MY ISSUES WITH LAMICTAL. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THEIR HAIR AND SKIN ???? MY HAIR IS "SHEDDING" AWAY. I AM LOSING IT BAD. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AND POSSIBLY EXCHANGE PHOTOS OF YOUR HAIR LOSS AND SEE IF THE PATTERNS ARE SIMULAR. I KNOW IT'S FROM THE LAMICTAL BUT MY DOCTORS ARE NOT IN AGREEMENT. F 40 5 years
9/26/2009
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 5  Lamicitin Over the last 10 years I have gained weight, suffer from chronic insomnia, loss of libido, blurred vision, poor concentration, sleepy during the day, short tempered, hair loss, bad skin. I always believed my doctor when he told me that there were no side effects. I am releived to find other people who are experiencing what I am. So I am not crazy ! I am going to reduce my dosage and hopefully the side effects will reduce too. I have been taking Lamictin for 10 years, I thought it was a miracle drug. It cured my mood swings, and all other symptoms that I suffer from as a result of right frontal lobe brain damage,caused by a motor vehicle accident. My doctor has always said there are no side effects, but now I realise that there are many side effects and many other people are experiencing them too. I am taking 300mg per day, but have decided to reduce my dosage to 200mg. After reading everyones, comments it seems to me that on 200mg the side effects will be greatly reduced. F 46 10 years
9/25/2009
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 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  bipolar depression light headed, anxiety, hunger F 3 5 years
9/22/2009
 4  mood instability, seizures constipation (Went away after a few weeks), sleepiness, dropping trains of thought The poor side effects of this drug went away quickly for me, and I've been happy with it since then. Since it makes me sleepy, I take it near bedtime to counteract insomnia. I don't think I'm taking enough to actually affect seizure risk, but my mood is very even. F 27 6 months
9/20/2009
 3  bipolar II initially, some nausea and loose stools, but that went away. HAIR LOSS at 5 weeks. I was on generic lamictal (lamotrigine) at 25mg up to 50mg. At 5 weeks i noticed a big "shedding" of my hair and suddenly my hair on top was thinning. I have NEVER had this happen before and I am healthy with no other issues that could cause this. I did some research and found that anticonvulsants block absorption of certain minerals and vitamins including folate and others. If you are missing folate it affects your hair (that's why pregnant women are encouraged to take it during pregnancy to avoid this). I wish my doctor had told me "hey, take a multivitamin with selenium and zinc and biotin" because this could have possibly been avoided. I am also researching into whether being on brand name could have prevented this. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it doesn't hurt to take preventative measures. Just be aware, folks. F 41 6 weeks
9/17/2009
 2  depression extreme weight gain, severe itchy scalp and neck, felt like bugs under my scalp F 44 60 days
9/16/2009
 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
 5  Bipolar II fatigue, blurred vision for small print, short-term memory loss, confusion, loss of coordination (vertigo), dry mouth, mild stomach issues, hair loss, weight loss, possible back/body pains, causes BC to be less effective... When I was 17 I went on zoloft for "situational" depression. I went to college and was def. "life of the party". Something TOTALLY out of my character but didn't notice because I thought I was acting like the typical college freshman. Sophomore year I moved into an apartment with 3 girls. After we started classes (Aug) I started feeling different. I went to my fam doc and was put on welbutrin along with the zoloft. I eventually stopped going to class and at one period I didn't shower or brush my teeth for 3 days in a row. That's when I knew I needed help so I withdrew from school (Nov). I went to a psychiatrist and he diagnosed me with BPII. I was put on lamictal, along with the antidepressants. I worked my way up to 100mg of lamictal. I noticed by the 2nd week I started feeling better. However, my anxiety was REALLY bad still. He put me on 0.5mg of klonopin (up to 3 times a day). I felt relaxed but was VERY sleepy. Then it took a turn and I began to get restless, and my mind wouldn't shut up to let me fall asleep. My psych put me on 25mg of seroquel to help me sleep. That definitely worked. THEN, my life took another turn junior year. My boyfriend broke up with me and I was devastated. He bumped me up to 200mg of lamictal. Anyway, the main thing I still struggle with is grogginess and feeling out of it. I will still sleep 12+ hours sometimes. But, no matter what side effects I STILL have, it's so much better than the dark place I was a year ago. F 20 10 months
9/13/2009
 5  Bipolar 2, with PTSD Bad jaw, and teeth pain, bleeding gums, sweats/chills,totally weird dreams,total loss of word recall, cognition difficulties, bad muscular aches in entire body 24/7 (including neck/back/gluts/legs) that pain pills did not help,loss of libido,twitches in legs/arms,eye scratchiness,irritated, acne breakouts daily, water retention,constipation,forgot what I had read,hair loss,feels like my scalp is open,loquacious,non-stop talking,not able to connect with my higher self,.... With all my side effects,I was on the "Generic", not the Brand, Dr told me that the pharmaceutical company only had to put in 60% of the med. He spoke to my coverage carrier, got the meds, from 700.00$, down to 200.00$ a month, and as SOON as I began taking it(I am now taking 50mg Extended Release), most of my pain, sleepiness, irritation,painful eyes,and jaw pain, went away!!!If you are experiencing all these side effects, and are taking the "Generic" brand, you may be as sensitive as I was, to the fillers, that they put in it. Attempt to go on the BRAND NAME. I cannot believe, what a difference that it makes. I am also taking Seroquel, 150mg, at nighttime, and I need a sleeping pill to fall asleep. The Dr also added an anti inflammatory drug, since my discs are leaning against my spine. I probably need something added to my "cocktail", and for right now, I am so grateful that I do not have suicadal/homicidal ideation, as I had before the Lamictal. For this, I am happy. I want to Thank Everyone, who has posted their experiences with this medication, so that I could see, that these side effects really do exist, even though the DR may not be convinced. We need to listen to our bodies, and trust ourselves. F 54 3 months
9/12/2009
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 1  Cyclothemia I took this for a year and the following occured: rashes, blurred vision, insomnia, anxiety (extreme), combative comments with co-workers and people in general and to top it off at times I honestlt thought I was going to go crazy. This drug is overrated and nonsense. I needed a mood stabilizer, not some hybrid version of an antidepressant. It's an anticonvulsant yes, but it does nothing CONSISTENTLY for anxiety and mania. I suggest people who like this drug to take 300mg of Dilantin daily. It costs nothing and acts the same way, calm one minute, crazy the next. I would give it a minus if I could. I took it for a year and gave it it's chance. I am on something else now with a fraction of the side effects. How I managed to keep my job I'll never know. M 29 1 years
9/11/2009
 3  Depression/Anxiety Insomnia, initial dry mouth, vertigo/dizziness, nausea, headaches, hair loss, possibly caused back and chest acne, which I hadn't had previously, fatigue (possibly caused by higher dose of sleeping medication to deal with insomnia). This medicine originally worked well for me (worked up to 100mg). The initial dry mouth went away after two weeks. The side effects have been more noticeable recently. I have been suffering from bad insomnia for the past week, I had to take 200mg of Trazadone as well as 50mg of Vistaril one night, whereas 25mg of Trazadone used to put me out. Recently noticed the hair loss, probably lost a quarter of my hair. Also, this may be related to the side effect of lowered estrogen levels coupled with the fact that I'm a teen, but I have lost a cup size since on Lamictal. F 15 4 months
9/7/2009
 3  seizure disorder weight gain; fatigue; lack of focus; bruise easily and sunburn easily; excessive sweating (possibly because my doctor has combined Lamictal with a mild dose of Tegretol); vivid dreams On the one hand, I have some side effects I really don't like, especially the weight gain (my diet hasn't changed, but I don't have the energy to exercise like I should). On the other hand,Lamictal has been one of the few drugs (together with a mild dose of Tegretol) that has been successful in my seizure control - taking me from about 2 or 3 a week to one mild middle-of-the-night seizure about every 3 months. As long as I stay away from my triggers (caffeine, aspartame, wheat products), the only things that sets me off are getting sick or having a bad time with monthly hormone levels. F 39 4 years
9/2/2009
 1  TBI,possible seizures,now bipolar? Short term memory loss, dislexia, word loss, agitation, angry outbursts, craving alcohol or benzo's. At first great mood then week long lasting swings - depression to hypomania, (never had any form of mania) difficulty concentrating, shaking, general feeling of out control of both body and mind...I have had to proofread this to ensure I have not repeated myself or switched letters in words. Once I began the starter pack I had great hopes of assistance getting through a traumatic brain injury and the mood issues that accompanied it. I fell down 12 stairs while out of town attempting to get to the bathroom. I was taken to a hospital and released without a CT scan. Walked around with blood on my brain for 5 days until reporting to my doctor what happened and how I had neck pain. I was told to immediately go to the hospital and I did. CT scan showed 3 brain contusions and an intracranial hemmorage. I was then transported to another hospital with a neurosurgeon on standby to operate. They presume I had a seizure after the fall, since that is what the witness stated (my boyfriend). I was referred to a seizure specialist. EEg came back abnormal. Tried several anticonvulsants to keep my driver's liscence. Mild side effects causing me to switch to others then there was carbazazapam (horrible), now the lamictal nightmare...literally. Horrid vivd dreams, while in a weird half awake sleep. My short term memory was improving from my injury until this medication which has made it as bad as when I first fell! My seizure "guru" claims I need this medication, and it is not the lamictal but I am experiencing post traumatic psychosis??? I am a social worker by trade, I am NOT psychotic. He wants me taking 200mg BID, another doctor said I could break them in half, 100mg BID. It helped in the beggining, what went so wrong? This medication. I would value a F 28 6 weeks
9/2/2009
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 1  mood stabilizer Alarming memory loss and impaired thinking BRAIN SCANS TO DOCUMENT HARMFUL EFFECTS F 53 2 years
9/2/2009
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 5  ocd and bipolar II starting rashes just gone away, costipation, vivid dreams. this drug has been a great discover. it helps me a lot with impulsiveness, with intrusive thoughts, and compulsion. he avoids in me panic attacks, anxiety and phobias. it helps also in depression, better that other mood stabilizerrs in combo with antidepressant. M 23 2 months
9/1/2009
 5  BiPolar II groggy in the morning, slight word recall problems wow. I feel like I've never lived a normal life until now. I'd long suffered from severe "overreactions" to things, if i had a problem at work, i'd be tortured by it, if i had a bad date, I'd be CRUSHED, if someone pissed me off, I'd spend HOURS ruminating on it and writing extremely thorough emails to them. I was STUCK in whatever emotion was happening, and I couldn't think straight. Lamictal is a drug to treat seizures, and it makes sense that this drug would help me. What happened to me was like an electrical storm in my brain of emotions. But Lamictal turns that off. Now, if something that used to set me off happens, I feel a "twinge" but that's as far as it goes. I'm able to see situations clearly and deal with them rationally. I've been able in the last two months to really see patterns of behavior that I could never deal with before. In the past I'd tried almost every antidepressant there was, but they never did anything for me (except a few made me feel "dead.") I still feel like me, except a better me. I do miss the torrent of creative ideas that I used to have, but I realize now that was a sort of mania, and I'll gladly take the slowed down version if it means I can deal with people better. Wish I'd found this years ago! F 41 2 months
8/29/2009
 5  Epilepsy None. Excellent medication. I have complex partial seizure disorder. I was on tegretol for many years and it was a horrible medication for me. With tegretol, I always felt like I was "on the edge" and seizures seemed to come at any random time. Lamictal was first started as a supplementary medication and I almost instantly noticed the change. Within a few months, my neurologist stopped the tegretol altogether and my seizures are a thing of the past. M 42 9 years
8/29/2009
 5  Bi-Polar Stiff neck, blurry vision Once I was on the full dose of 200mg the side effects went away, although I had to get my eyeglass prescription changed... Works fabulous. Gives me a sense of calm and that all is right with the world. Bad neckache if I skip a dose. F 46 10 years
8/28/2009
 1  For mood stabilization of bipolar The dreams/nightmares are HORRIBLE! I was doing well on 100mg dosage, but went up to 200mg and that's when the vivid, bizarre dreams began. Losing people and things close to me, being haunted by a demon, sleeping but in an awake state and people at work who I dislike tormenting and scaring me. It goes on and on. My PsychDoc asked me to take it up to 250mg which I did for 1 night and the dreams turned into real nightmares. That was it for me. I switched to taking the Lamictal from night to morning and dropped the dosage to 150mg. I plan on dropping it in a couple of days to my original 100 mg dose. Lamictal and almost ALL the Psych meds I have been on since 1994 have really been terrible. I cannot get any peace with any of these meds and yes I am angry. I know the manufacturers are trying to make money and MAYBE trying to help the mentally ill, but without the proper trials (which I have read the doctor's instructions online for every script I have taken)are not done because the pharmaceuticals are rushing to beat each other to the punchline. And the FDA condones this behavior - not sure what the standard is or the reasons why. Yes, I am angry. I am almost through with taking any meds as I have had my chin up everytime my PsychDoc asked for me to try something new with me not knowing what side effects will manifest themselves in me. Don't want to sound suicidal, but I am 47 years old now and have been battling my depression and manic episodes, making decisions one minute and changing my mind by going another way the next. This causes extreme stress which adds another med to my list because I cannot control my agitation and anxiety. I say now, I have lived my life and now it's time for me to go. It's of my opinion that most people in this world are so caught up in their own doings that they don't care for their own children nevertheless care for some stranger like me. It breaks my heart to feel that I want to leave this world, but I am of sound mind and body right now and would like to move on. F 47 3 months
8/27/2009

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