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 |
| 5 | BIPOLAR, DEPRESSION,OCD, | SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES, ACNE ON SHOULDERS(BAD), FEVER, FACIAL NUMBNESS | THIS DRUG WORKED VERY WELL FOR ME. I HAD TO STOP IT DUE TO SWOLLEN GLANDS EVERYWHERE- PUT ME IN THE ER | F | 23 | 2 years | 10/24/2008 | 3 | bipolar II | Horrible memory loss- i can't seem to find the "right" words and completely forget things like what time my child has soccer practice, or why i went to the store? bad hair loss as well. | the drug definitely made my moods a lot better, but in my job, i cannot afford to have memory loss. unfortunately, i need to come off and try something else. | F | 38 | 1 years | 10/24/2008 | 5 | Bipolar 1 | I have not had any side effects other than being tired if I take it in the morning and noticeable mood change if I miss a dose or two. My swings are mostly rapid-cycle/ultra-rapid. This medication has worked to subside the swings. The only thing I do notice is that I still have mood swings around the time of my period. They are not as bad as they used to be, however. I just give my family and friends the "heads up" when it is that time of the month. | Lamictal is the only medication I take for my disorder and I only take 50mg. I have been on the medication since Dec 2006, so it has been nearly two years. I did A LOT of homework before electing this medication and learned that it is imperative to take the smallest possible dose (about 5mg) to start out for the first 2 weeks to a month. Then increase to 10mg, then 25, etc. I have taken 100mg when I forgot a dose the day before in order to bring my level back up, with no side effects. But taking 100mg for me is very rare. I do well on 50mg. There are consequences/other/increased side effects to using Lamictal with other anti-depressents or mood stablizers, so I haven't used anything else, and I won't. If you are suffering side effects such as (but not all inclusive) hair loss, rash, burning sensations, sores in the mouth, nose, eyes, etc., nausea, vomitting, Diarrhoea...or anything else that is new for you.....CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR. You may be developing Steven-Johnson | F | 38 | 2 years | 10/23/2008 | 5 | migraines/psych reasons | none | Lamictal has been a Godsend. from migraines, it helps and works better than topamax. also take for instability for borderline personality disorder. i finally feel comfortable in my skin & that everything might end up ok | M | 36 | 9 months | 10/23/2008 | 4 | depression, mood swings | muscle tremors, loss of appetite, higher body temps | After two weeks at the lowest dose (25mg) the side effects are very mild, but so are the benefits. I don't mind the loss of appetite so much because I experienced the same thing when I started Wellbutrin (150mg). I don't miss those 10 pounds, but it does pose a danger when I forget to eat all day and my blood sugar plummets. The tremors are not so bad I can't function but they do make carrying a full cup of coffee a bit risky. I've always run a bit warm and had night sweats before the Lamictal, so I can't say for sure my slightly elevated temps are a result. My doc intends to titrate to 100mg, but I'm not sure the risks are worth it. So far I've seen a decrease in suicidal thoughts and an increase in energy, productivity and motivation, so I may stay with 25mg for a while. | F | 34 | 2 weeks | 10/23/2008 | 5 | trtmt resistant depression/bipolar | no side effects, possible weight loss of 10 pounds--maybe it curbs my appetite? | have been on various antidepressants for 18 years for a disabling treatment resistant depression. nothing helped until i found effexor--but then that stopped working as well. Am currently on 150 mg of lamictal and 150 mg of effexor and feel perfectly normal every day. Thank goodness for modern medicine. | F | 39 | 1 years | 10/18/2008 | 2 | Epilepsy (Partial Complex) | Loss of libido - this was a gradual thing that happened over about 3 years until it completely disappeared - have since changed to Keppra but libido still hasn't come back. Also taking Neurontin which has made me lose the ability to orgasm. Other bad things: loss of personality & creativity, tiredness, memory loss. | These drugs have ruined my sex-life and I'm only 25! I am so depressed. I feel like a total alien. It's really annoying that I have to keep taking epilepsy meds even though I only had 1 seizure...4 years ago! I have MS too. My only advice to epilepsy sufferers taking Lamictal is to be aware that if it starts reducing your drive (even slightly) then change meds straight away cos you don't want this to happen to you! I would do anything to get mine back! | F | 25 | 3 years | 10/14/2008 | 4 | depression, possibly bi-polar | I'm on both Cymbalta and Lamictal. When I started the Lamictal, I started having the following side-effects. Excessive sweating is the worst. It seems to hit me worst a couple of hours after taking my dose. I get drenched; it's rather embarrassing to be soaking wet when everyone else is dry. Along with the sweating, I'm more heat-sensitive and I get more of the migraines that I sometimes get working outside in the heat. It is also harder to think of words. I am often hoarse or have a sore throat. I have gained alot of weight in my years of treatment, so I pretty much think that all of the medications have that effect on me. I also have gas problems. I was prescribed a steroid suppository to shrink hemorroids. I took two of them, and I found myself in an angry, depressed mood. It appeared to counteract my Cymbalta and Lamictal. | My mood improved, but I don't like the side-effects. I can't remember how long I have taken it though - 2 years maybe. Several months ago, the doctor tried to add a Geodon to my regiment. I took it for abouttwo days, I think. I almost fell asleep talking to someone in my office!! | F | 40 | | 10/12/2008 | 2 | schizoaffective disorder | diarrhoea | prescribed for depression along with lithium and zyprexa | M | 40 | 3 months | 10/12/2008 | 1 | Unipolar Depression | HORRIBLE hair loss (50+%)-- even weeks after stopping the drug. After seeing multiple dr's to determine what's wrong with me, my latest bloodwork revealed a failed ANA(auto-immune) test. Before starting Lamictal, I had bloodwork, and all was fine. I'm convinced this drug -- even after taking it for only three months-- is the cause of some auto-immune issue.Off to see a Rheumotologist to get more answers... | Initially, Lamictal did work for me, yet PLEASE beware of things such as hair loss. It could be a sign that your body is unfavorably reacting to the drug. | F | 38 | 3 months | 10/10/2008 | 5 | treatment resistant depression | at higher doses, light sensitivity and headaches; makes me sleepy so take at night (but that's a benefit) | This drug has really changed my life. Prior to this, was trying just about everything and was diagnosed w/ everything under the sky; nothing worked. I went from working as a secretary hospitalized 2x or so a year to being a third year law student looking forward to a challenging career. I still have major ups and downs, but this drug has really made it possible to live my life. Will note too that still trying to get off of seroquel etc., and taking prozac; I think that lamictal and prozac together will be the optimal combo for me (crossing fingers). | F | 35 | 3 years | 10/6/2008 | 5 | Anxiety/Depression | It was somewhat difficult to adjust to. I was very tired, no energy. It was difficult to concentrate. However, once I reached the dose prescribed, I experienced no severe side effects. I experienced moderate acne which has finally started to subside after my doctor prescribed a antibiotic face wipe. I have also gained a little over 15 lbs - which doesn't seem to budge even with diet and exercise. | I take 75mg. And I also take 20 mg. of Geodon. I didn't realize how ill I was before taking this med. I'm glad the acne was finally treatable. And I struggle with the weight gain, but I'm working at it! Regardless of the acne I had in the beginning and the weight gain, I'm thankful my doctor prescribed this for me. I'm a much better wife and much easier to be around. Lamictal has evened out the highs and lows and life is much easier now. | F | 26 | 1 years | 10/5/2008 | 5 | Bipolar | decreased libido, improved immune system | I have been on and off medication since first diagnosed 10 years ago. This one has been the most successful for me. This is the first time I have no desire to stop taking my meds. Has anyone else noticed a significant decrease in getting sick? I work with 90 children and typically would catch something each month. But since I started Lamictal I have rarely gotten sick. | F | 35 | 1 years | 10/4/2008 | 5 | Bipolar II | Sore muscles (went away). Memory problems- really bad at first, but has gotten much better. Still a little absentminded, but I'm okay with that. More forgetful especially when tired. Insomnia- but I have always had it, so I don't know if this makes it worse or not. Acne-unfortunately, that hasn't cleared up- now I see a dermatologist. | Like someone said earlier- it has saved my life. I wasn't able to really see just how sick I was before until I had taken Lamictal (and I did feel it fairly soon after I started- maybe a week to 10 days). I've been pretty stable on it for the most part, except for during my period- I doesn't work as well during that time and that sucks.I currently take 300 mg per day and have for about a year and a half. It hasn't felt as effective for the past couple of months, but I see my p-doc today and she might titrate me up (she says there is room to do that)or add something. On the whole- sooooo worth it ! | F | 39 | 1 years | 9/30/2008 | 5 | Migraines | Hair loss. | I suffered from migraines every day. This medicine has been my life saver!! I have not had a migraine in two years, but now I am experiencing hair loss. I am concerned. | F | 45 | 2 years | 9/29/2008 | 1 | Bipolar | Rashes (at any dose). It ended with me being on Medrol twice. Big time anxiety that would come out of nowhere for no reason. I took it for about 1 year and then said ENOUGH!! | The rashes were bad enough but I simply could NOT stand the anxiety/psychotic like states that were unpredictable. I went back to Depakote ER and that eliminates rashes and anxiety issues. Minor side effects from Depakote but every med has side effects. | M | 33 | 1 years | 9/26/2008 | 4 | Bipolar | Mostly the foretfullness. I hate the fact that I can't remember names. If told a person's name I forget it instantly. I also can't remember names of people in past that I had known for years. It seems to aggravate my psoriasis | I didn't realize I had so many mood swings until I went on it. I tried anti depression drugs before and they just didn't do it and didn't like the side effects but this one seem better. | F | 44 | 3 years | 9/25/2008 | 1 | bipolar | Threatened my family and don't remember doing so. Since off the drug things are normal. | DO NOT take this medicine if you are an alcoholic! Very dangerous drug. My therapist should have never prescribed this drug for my bipolar with my alcoholism. | M | 34 | 1 months | 9/25/2008 | 3 | Bipolar | I have been on this drug for 4 years, with various dose levels. Have recently increased from 200 mgs to 300mgs. I feel like I am burning up from the inside out. My skin is not hot but under surface I feel like I'm going to spontaneously human combust! Also have a kind of rash - almost like mosquito bites that itch and appear all over - is this the kind of rash people talk about? | I'd like feedback from anyone about the symptoms I've described, as this is the only drug from my 'cocktail' that has been increased and I am wondering if this is causing the itch and heat. | F | 49 | 4 years | 9/24/2008 | 5 | bi-polar; depression | I have had none that I'm aware of. | For the first 50 or so years of my life I was swinging wildly from out of control to lethargic. Since I have been on Lamictal I look back on those years and am aware of how ill I was. Many bad life-changing decisions could have probably been avoided had I understood the problem, and had I had a miracle drug like Lamictal. | M | 64 | 2 years | 9/17/2008 |