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 Date added. 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 | bipolar II | I do have coordination problems that I never had before, which is discouraging. And, my libido has been too low | I have suffered from some kind of mood disorder all my life, but could not sift through the unique combination of symptoms, and the fact that the manic side was more rapid cycling hypomania than anything more severe. I started on Zoloft at the age of 40, and it changed my world... the veil of sorrow and inferiority lifted! Amazing. BUT, it kicked me into the first full manic episode I ever had. Had to come off the Zoloft, and missed it for so long. Eventually, I went on Lamictal, after it became clear that I had the highs and lows.... though far more lows than highs. Lamictal has established both a ceiling for any manic tendencies, and a floor for depression, below which I do not seem to fall. I am pleased with that. I am not stuck in my bed crying and dysfunctional. Nor am I embarrassing myself barking and over-reacting in business meetings... I'm back on Zoloft again, after trying another antidepressant for a long time, trying to make it work, and just not feeling good enough. | F | 51 | 8 years | 5/5/2008 | 1 | Some sort of psychotic episode... | Inability to focus, short-term memory loss, bizarre dreams, sleep paralysis, diminished vocabulary, I can no longer drive because I zone out all the time, I've had to put this short story I'm writing on an indefinite pause because I just have no idea what's going on in it anymore . . . | I hit my head on a car door, didn't sleep for four days due to a perpetual headache, went a bit mad, and was misdiagnosed as bipolar and put on this. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. Unless you are TRULY bipolar, do not take this. Ever. It may stabilise you, but at the cost of taking every desirable personality trait you have and stamping upon it until it dies. Eleven days until I can go plead my case to the doctor...eleven days....I'm curious to see if I EVER get my creativity back if I manage to get off this filth... | F | 17 | 1 months | 5/3/2008 | 4 | BP I | headaches, muscle trembling/tightness, dizziness | I was skeptical at first, but once I got up to 100mg 2x a day, I noticed a great improvement in my moods. It also helped regulate hormonal issues. I did not get a rash or anything severe like that, so don't be afraid to try it. I get migraines anyway, but Lamictal seems to intensify them. I get a little dizzy sometimes, or when I close my eyes I feel like a weight is pushing down on me. The only bothersome side effect is a shaking/tightening of my muscles that makes me sway back and forth slightly when at rest. Or at least that's when I notice it. I believe that comes from the fact that it is an anti-convulsant. Makes sense. I'll continue to use it as long as I can, it's been a lifesaver! | F | 26 | 10 months | 4/29/2008 | 3 | bi-polar | drowsiness,poor coordination, anxiety, | In first stage--3 weeks--100mg with 150mg Zoloft. No positive effects yet, but I remain hopeful. For now I feel like I'm in state of suspended animation. | M | 70 | 21 days | 4/29/2008 | 3 | depression | insomnia, muscle weakness, feeling dazed at times, itchy skin, very bad facial acne and now on my scalp, which I never had in my life, easy bruising, some hair loss and hair has become very dry and lackluster; increasingly blurred vision to the point where I have to squint to be able to read some texts, gritty and watery eyes, occasional involuntary muscle jerks, talking in sleep, violent and horrific dreams, feelings of flatness, impulsive, irrational behavior, hostility and anger, irrational suspicion and oversensitivity, difficulty with memory, spelling, and also forgetting words and names mid-sentence, bloating, water retention, sugar cravings and most recently, a bit of weight gain | Although I have an extensive side effect list, I have to add that I'm also on 300mg of effexor and 300mg wellbutrin, but I know that those never caused these side effects. It can be helpful for many people in treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder, but I do not have bipolar, even though my doctor decided to diagnose me as being bipolar. I've only had depression with anxiety, but never mania. | F | 29 | 1 years | 4/29/2008 | 1 | depression | Severe shakiness, fainting, vomiting, dizziness, inability to swallow, suicidal thoughts, rage, severe insomnia (went 4 days without sleep once), uncontrollable crying, anxiety, irrational thoughts. | This drug was pure poison to me. I actually think I would've been bipolar if I'd kept on taking it. My doctor didn't want to take me off of it, so after alot of research my mother and I got me off of Lamictal and Cymbalta. It's the first time in 10 years that I haven't been taking some kind of antidepressant and I feel better than ever. I wouldn't recommend this drug to anyone. | F | 38 | 90 days | 4/29/2008 | 5 | Yes | Initially - problems getting sleep regulated | I started taking Lamictal in 2004 for BP2 but did not stay on the medication so I could see results. I was diagnosed with Manic Depression (now known as Bi-Polar Disorder) in 1994. I have tried a lot medications over the years to regulate my swings. In October I started seeing a therapist and psychiatrist because I had been in Mania for about six months. Once the doctor diagnosed me with BP1 put me on Lamictal, initially with 50mg and titrated up to 200mg. I am currently sleeping me through the night (roughly six to seven hours, a change from one to two hours) and my mood is now balanced and I am more focused. I think Lamictal is a wonderful medicine. It took time to get my mood stabilized and sleep pattern better but I am happy that I was patient this time to see the positive results. | F | 33 | 6 months | 4/25/2008 | 4 | Bi-Polar Moderate Rapid Cycling | Lethargy, Trouble Concentrating, INSOMNIA and or trouble falling asleep, Headaches, Vivid Dreams--dark in nature, | The sleep deprevation is certainly contributing to my trouble concentrating. When I get a good nights sleep, I feel really good--take on the world feeling--and motivated to get things done. After taking at least 10 different SSRI and Tricyclic drugs, Lamictal was the first drug that made me feel completely different. I didn't even know if I was feeling better because the titration was long and produced subtle results in regard to diminshing depressive or bi-polar episodes. I did get the most common symptoms--dizzy, body felt like concrete, itchy, etc. but they mostly subsided once I reached 100mg/day. I AM feeling better although my emotions are just under the surface but I can get through the week without crying at commercials (so stupid!) or feeling withdrawn. Right now the insomnia is completely debilitating and if I don't solve this then I don't know what I am going to do. It is affecting my job and my life and I feel like crap all the time which is "depressing"! | F | 38 | 2 years | 4/22/2008 | 5 | seizure disorder / hypomania | I take a huge dosage (700 mg/day) to control my seizures. My neurologist wanted me off phenobarbital and thought that Lamictal could help stabilize my moods-especially my problems with anger. After three years these are the main side effects. Current: insomnia, increased sun sensitivity, extreme short term memory loss and disorginization, new: heightened PMS, (crying spells) terrible night sweats -- but only if my dosing is off, metallic taste in mouth when manic. Stopped: my hair loss stopped after about two years. | Side effects are always a tough call -- is it me, or is it medicine? Still have hypomanic symptoms, but they are much more managable for the first time in my life - even my racing thoughts and talking too quickly. MY MONTHLY DOSAGE WAS $725.00!!! THERE IS A PROGRAM CALLED BRIDGES TO ACCESS. FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ON GLASKO SMITH-KLINE WEBSITE. MD FILLS OUT FORMS, SOMEONE IN OFFICE IS YOUR ADVOCATE. THREE MONTH SUPPLY DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME FOR FREEEE! I couldn't have switched without it and I am glad I did. Lamictal has helped me tremendously. | F | 39 | 3 years | 4/21/2008 | 3 | Treatment resistent depression | Decreased appetite. Possible increased hair shedding (only noticed recently), insomnia (probably only partially responsible). Hard to tell due to # of current prescribed meds | I thought it was working. It may still be helping, but the response is insufficient to me. Have tried many, many, many other drugs. Mostly SSRI's. The side effects have seemed really mild over all. I am currently on 100mg morning & 200mg night. | F | 33 | 9 months | 4/21/2008 | 2 | Dissociative Disorder/ADD | Heightened sexual desire, combined with inability to have an orgasm. Absolutely horrid. I lowered the dose by a third and both went away. Thank you so much to the other lady who posted this, proving it was the drug and not just me. | I haven't seen it do anything yet, but the doctor wants to try it in combination with other drugs. | F | 43 | 3.5 months | 4/19/2008 | 1 | epilepsy | I am actually taking tegretol retard and epilim chrono along with lamictal. i now have bad memory loss, slurred speech, loss of sexual desire compared to a few years ago, tiredness and very vivid intense dreams and also emotional but for no apparent reason which I find irritating and confusing. I HATE these side effects!!! | By the way, I was diagnosed epileptic at the age of 9. | F | 24 | 10 days | 4/19/2008 | 5 | Bi-polar II | I haven't noticed much. A few hyper-surreal moments which pass quickly. Little scary but tolerable. Dry mouth the first day but not after. I used to get a "glowy" feeling where everything was brighter than usual for about a half hour to an hour after taking it. Not unpleasant at all. That doesn't happen really now. I have some insomnia but I've always had that so it doesn't really matter. Some memory problems but nothing severe. WORTH IT. | I noticed a difference from the first day. But it scared me a little because it was REALLY strong. That stablized fast though. I was kind of upset for a while because this drug has saved my life. Literally. I think back on the hell I lived in, the hell I put my family/friends through and I shudder. I've been suicidally depressed for more than ten years. That's a long time to think about killing yourself EVERY DAY. It was only a matter of time. I didn't know I was Bi-polar because I'm not "manic." I obsess. A LOT. This has stopped that for the most part. What's left is very treatable with therapy. I feel "normal" now. I pray it doesn't stop working. I never want to stop taking this. I hope I don't develop side effects because I never want to go back to the way it was before. I still have slight moments of obsession, depression, paranoia and panic but they're pretty mild compared to what it was like before. And I can be "talked down" now. Which was NOT possi | F | 26 | 4 weeks | 4/18/2008 | 5 | Bipolar I | Small pimples on back, increased body odor | I was suicidal before taking Lamictal. It has totally saved my life. I found ways to battle the pimples and the body odor. Totally worth it. I have no idea what I'd do without this drug. | F | 26 | 5 years | 4/18/2008 | 3 | seizure | anxiety attack vertigo feeling and unable to think clearly. nevertheless seizure stop | have gradually reduced the portion of lamictal after hearing magnesium supplement can cure seizure.now after 1 wk w/o lamictal and on magnesim supplement alone I feel fine. the side effects are dissapearing | M | 44 | 4 years | 4/18/2008 | 5 | bipolar | Problems with words , slight feeling of disconnection, on low dosage extreme crying and anxiety. | I am now at 300 mg . Problems with words went away , disconnection went away. On higher dosage no crying or anxiety. I am in love with this drug. Has totally changed my life, no more extreme moods swings, anger and racing thoughts are gone. Works good on depression. I am also on geodon for depression. | F | 33 | 1 years | 4/17/2008 | 3 | Major Depression, Perimenopause | Up to 50mgs, no side effects 100 mgs daily...very sleepy. Had to take at night. | When I started Lamictal the first month I thought it was a miracle. I felt solid and didn't even think about how I felt. Then I got my period and increased my dose. All my Depression can back worse than before. I am not diagnosed BP but my hormone flucuations mimic it. I'm hoping the higher dose will pull me through my next period with less depression. The depression hasn't let up yet so it better hurry up. I'm also on Lithium and Zoloft. Worked for years until I hit Perimenopause. Now it's like I'm starting all over again. | F | 46 | 35 days | 4/17/2008 | 5 | Mood Stabilizer | Poor concentration, poor memory, drowsiness, rash | The benefits of this wonder drug have outweighed the risks for me. Although my brain feels like it's not what it used to be, I have not contemplated suicide in almost 5 years! I take 25 mg in the morning and 25 mg at night, (12 hours apart). The side effects are only mild and are certainly tolerable. | F | 38 | 4 years | 4/16/2008 | 5 | Bipolar One | If I take it at night..insomnia, vivid nightmares. In the morning no problems. I take 100mg. | I was weaning off of Trileptal, accidentally, was recieving half the dose I took for the past 3 years. this was actually a blessing. The trileptal held off the mood swings but never made me feel "normal". It only took 3 days with the 25mg dose for me to improve dramatically. | F | 34 | 2 months | 4/16/2008 | 5 | epilepsy | loss of appetite, loss of libido? | Well, am wondering why I don't have "any" side effects, although my husband is sure its the cause for my apparently reduced sex-drive, or was that the 3 kids? Anyway, anyone else have complaints regarding libido? I'm only taking 200mgs for pete's sake. | F | 34 | 10 years | 4/15/2008 |