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 - rapid cyling | very few, biggest problem is insomnia, although it's partly because I take it later in the day, and I believe once I start to take it consistantly in the morning this will be diminished - taking OTC sleeping pills have helped. When I remember to take it in the morning it makes me pleasantly perky and alert during the day. Only a few cases of short-term memory loss, although I don't know if this will increase as I titrate to a higher dose (just started 100mg from 50mg). Have had a few very short breakthrough episodes, which were the most noticable when I accidentally missed a dose (onset coming about a day after the missed dose, lasting a few hours, usually tending towards hypomania rather than depression). Generally have felt much more even and stable-headed. | Overall I have really liked Lamictal, and have had very few side-effects which bother me - the most troublesome being difficultly in getting to sleep, which as increased with higher doses. I started on 25mg, titrating up to 100mg after 30 days, although I felt stablizing effects almost immediately. I have felt more even-headed than before I can remember - I was previously cyclothimic since age 11, recently changed to BPII a year ago - this is my first attempt at medication. I am currently taking this as monotherapy, although I may add medication if my depression returns. When I started the medication I was already beginning to come out of a year long depression, so I am not as certain as to how affective it will be for deeper depression, although it has significantly reduced my frequent recurring morbid depressed thought episodes. The few minor short breakthrough episodes I've had have been almost exclusively tending towards hypomania. Overall I've been very impressed with how much mor | F | 18 | 35 days | 10/30/2006 | 2 | Bipolar | Metalic taste in mouth, Severe gas, chronic diarrhea, dizziness with loss of balance, sinus pain with rhinitis and thick mucus that dropped to back of throat, headache, pain in fingers and hands, flu like symptoms and increased facial acne that was never an issue before, feeling completely sick, miserable and "toxic" physically. | Once I increased the dosage from 50 mg to 100 mg I started to literally feel toxic. My MD decreased my dosage back to 75 mg and told me that I obviously had the flu since the dosage wasn't therapeutic level and not enough to affect an infant. I resumed the 75 mg dosage and immediately began feeling sick again with all the same symptoms. After 3 days off the medicine I began to feel somewhat normal again, so I know it was the Lamictal. This was a great mood stabilizer that left me feeling much better emotionally, but with the terrible side effects it's impossible for me to remain on the medicine. I'm discouraged and doubtful that I will ever find another medicine that was as effective at stabilizing my mood. With the adverse side effects that are reported here, I don't think the toll on my health is worth the risk. | F | 49 | 2.5 months | 10/30/2006 | 5 | depression/bpd traits | problems with concentration, difficulty thinking of words, "blurry" thinking, decreased enjoyment of music and art | lamicatal has helped me more than any other pharmaceutical that i've been prescribed (zoloft, effexor, xyprexa, abilify, seroquel, etc.). i also take 300mg of wellbutrin a day and the combination has really helped me escape constant thoughts of suicide and urges to selfinjure. I have healthier eating and sleeping habits than i've had in years. the side effects are frustrating but for now worth the positive impact lamictal has made on my emotional state. | F | 20 | 5 months | 10/26/2006 | 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 | 3 | seizures | Severe acne, moderate weight gain around the midsection, anxiety, insomnia, short term memory loss, trouble concentrating, no energy. | Had first and only seizure 1 1/2 years ago. Have not had one since. Taking 200mg 2x a day. I don't like the side effects. Since I have had only one grand mal seizure, I wonder if I even need to be on Lamictal. Talked to the neurologist about the anxiety and he wanted to start an antidepressant, I refused. Have never had any health issues before the seizure. I am beginning to think that doctors feel the need to write perscriptions because it's easy. My GP was perscribed differin cream that totally cleared the acne and also perscribed Zanax to take ONLY if I felt that I was having an anxiety attack and needed it to work through it. I haven't have to take the Zanax, though it's comforting to know it's in my purse. Walking about 20 minutes a few times a day to help with the energy and the weight gain. I haven't seen any results with that which really bothers me because I have never had a problem with either before. I have found myself writing things down alot so I don't forget something, I | F | 43 | 1 years | 10/26/2006 | 3 | seizures | Severe acne, moderate weight gain around the midsection, anxiety, insomnia, short term memory loss, trouble concentrating, no energy. | Had first and only seizure 1 1/2 years ago. Have not had one since. Taking 200mg 2x a day. I don't like the side effects. Since I have had only one grand mal seizure, I wonder if I even need to be on Lamictal. Talked to the neurologist about the anxiety and he wanted to start an antidepressant, I refused. Have never had any health issues before the seizure. I am beginning to think that neurologists feel the need to write perscriptions because it's easy. My GP, who truely listens, perscribed differin cream that totally cleared the acne and also perscribed Zanax to take ONLY if I felt that I was having an anxiety attack and needed it to work through it. I haven't have to take the Zanax, though it's comforting to know it's in my purse. Walking about 20 minutes a few times a day to help with the energy and the weight gain. I haven't seen any results with that which really bothers me because I have never had a problem with either before. I have found myself writing things down alot so I don | F | 43 | 1 years | 10/26/2006 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | Nausea almost constantly, some problems with word recall, spaciness, lots of forgetfulness (REALLY bad when I drink too much the night before), shaking, increased body odor, headache, some racing thoughts (almost hypomanic feelings when starting the meds that go away after a few days) | When I first started taking Lamictal I was very skeptical. I had taken Neurontin before (which is also an anticonvulsant) and ended up taking 3x the amount an epiletic should take spread through out the day before bed, which resulting in my head spinning and not being able to see when I woke up for about 30 minutes. So, I looked on here and I couldn't understand why a medicine with such extreme side effects would be rated so highly. The reason is that it changes your life. I have been on nearly every antidepressant/antianxiety/sleep combo my doctors could think of for the past 3 years and NOTHING has worked. I am currently taking Lamictal, Welbutrin, Paxil, Serequil, and Clonazepam. I know its a lot, but this mixture has allowed me to become the person I used to be again. I'm happy, but most of all I have the desire to live and better myself. So, to anyone who's reading this thinking we're all crazy (Hmm... bad choice of words!) for enduring such side effects all I can say is t | F | 23 | 6 months | 10/25/2006 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | Hair loss (one big nickel shaped bald spot in the center of my forehead)-happened only once and grew back, hindered word retreival, short-term memory loss, decreased concentration, decreased creativity and motivation, INCONTINENCE (didn't start until 2 years into it). I thought it was from artificial sweeteners, but I am just finding out that there may be a link between Lamictal and incontinence. I also have the urge to go and them am disappointed to find only a few drops. | I realize that Lamictal is not a miracle drug, but it has done the job of making me feel what I believe is "normal", and my mood is much more stable. Although (and I think someone else wrote this) I don't cry or feel elated very often. However, the benefits outweigh the negative side effects immeasurably. | F | 28 | 4.5 years | 10/22/2006 | 4 | Bipolar - Rapid Cycling with OCD | I am taking Wellbuterin, Abilify, Prozac40mg,Lithium 1200 mg, as well as 300 mg. Lamictal. With so many meds it is hard for me to say for sure what med does what, but I know when my 2 Pdocs started me on this, they were very hopeful. My manic swings seem to have leveled down although I still get some short term depression. I know when I don't take the Lamictal my world gets very confusing with the depression and the manic moving so fast. I dont have anger issues with anyone other than myself. I do self mutilation. This has stopped with the Lamictal & other meds. I know the Lamictal has been a positive. I haven't experienced any hair gain or loss or any of the other things described here. I am lucky. I do want to sleep in the afternoons, but would never try to guess if it was this med or that med or the disease itself.. If you have been prescribed Lamictal, try it with confidence. | F | 53 | 3 years | 10/22/2006 | 1 | Seizures | Memory loss, slurred/unorganized speech. Hair loss. FULL THICK HAIR, before taking. Now I'm thin up top and have a receeding hairline. Easily depressed. 300 mg a day. I WANT OFF OF THIS MEDICINE. | M | 19 | 2 years | 10/22/2006 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder- Mood Stabilizer | My nails grew very fast and were very strong, my hair also grew in very fast and was thick. | I LOVE Lamictal! My bipolar disorder wasn't contained by anything else before Lamictal, and now it is quite under control. It works against my depressions, mixed episodes, and manias. | F | 28 | 2 years | 10/19/2006 | 2 | depression | nausea, itchy skin, vivid dreams, tender and swollen breasts, increased menstrual pain/pms, hot flashes, sinus, feeling like I was having morning sickness, again. | I will discontinue the Lamictal, I can't deal with the "female" side effects. Pdoc has kept me at 25mgs to see if I will adjust. My depression is lifting, maybe due to wellbutrion. | F | 46 | 1 months | 10/17/2006 | 2 | Depression & Panic Attacks | Explosive Anger, Mood Swings, Withdrawn from Family, Memory Problems, Increase in Weight, Vivid Dreams, Irritabilty | I have been on every drug you can imagine to help me with my depression. Nothing seems to work. I am currently on 150 mg Effexor, 50 mg Trazadone, and Zantax ( when needed). I started taking Lamictal because I am still depressed. I didn't notice anything ( execpt vivid dreams) until 75 mg. At 75 mg...I started screaming at everyone and punching holes in the walls. My shrink wanted to up my dosage. I tried 100 mg for a week and things just got worse. I want to find something that helps! I have started on a 3-4 mile a day exercise program which has really helped with the anxiety but I still have depression. | F | 31 | 6 weeks | 10/17/2006 | 1 | Depression | Night sweats, swollen groin lymph nodes, back/neck pain, my depression has gotten 1000% worse. | I'm sure this drug is great, it just isn't working for me. | F | 26 | 20 days | 10/16/2006 | 4 | depression | memory loss, inability to find the right word or follow simple directions,like stick out your tongue. I'm concerned enough to consider stopping Lamictal. After trying all the other meds over the past decade+ I've had better sucess for a longer period of time than with any other depression med. I don't want to stop HOWEVER, if this memory thing doesn't get better I may have no choice. I'm concerned memory may not improve even I do stop. | F | 52 | 3 years | 10/13/2006 | 3 | depression and anxiety | anger and agitation. Imagined verbal fights. | F | 1 months | 10/11/2006 | 3 | depression and anxiety | anger and agitation. Imaginary verbal fights with people I have had negative experiences with. Short term memory loss. | F | 1 months | 10/11/2006 | 5 | Depression and Bipolar I | Dry mouth, forgetfulness (*almost got fired for missing too many meetings*), and now mild sharp pains in my chest. I have to get the pains checked out. I sometimes get very, very sleepy in the afternoon if I get less than 8 hours of sleep for any length of time. A 20-40 minute nap takes care of it. | Saved my marriage. I am also on 300mg Wellbutrin and 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac). They were working for 3 years, but then I started to have mood swings, irratibility, and withdrawal from family. I also had problems interacting with people at work. My Pdoc added Lamictal a year ago and after 4 weeks I was doing much, much better. My relationship with wife and kids has turned around 100%. I wish I was able to go on fewer meds. Stopping prozac led to immediate irratibility and bad temper, as well as dark moods. If I miss my evening 150mg Wellbutrin SR for more than 1 day, I become apathetic and don't work hard enough at work. But, with Lamictal, Wellbutrin, and Fluoxetine cocktail I am ok. My dad was Bipolar II and was on Depakote, Lithium, and antipsychotics at the end. Glad I haven't progressed that far (and am not a nasty bastard like he was). | M | 41 | 400 days | 10/10/2006 | 3 | depression/manic depression | Great as an antidepressant with a mood stabilizer Crappy med to be on alone -- Terrible headaches | Since my tendency to feel "down" caused me to switch from depakote to lithium, my new doc added a tiny bit of lamictal to the mix. This add was very, very successful until we learned i was pregnant, whereupon he insisted I immediately drop the 900mg lithium and keep on 100mg lamictal. When I called his assistant she told me the regular dose should be 200mg. When I went up to this I started getting manic. Going back to 100 I began getting terrible headaches. When I told my doctor he replied, "well you're PREGNANT!" as if I wasn't not getting headaches before I knew I was pregnant, but still was pregnant. I tried to suffer through them but they were intolerable. They ended when I went back on my precious lithium. Good-bye lamictal. | F | 26 | 4 months | 10/10/2006 | 5 | Bipolar Type II | Hair loss, dry skin/psoriasis, eyeballs sometimes "jiggle" when I try to focus on something in particular, "lose" words sometimes, some short term memory problems | Previous diagnosis was depression, but after 9 years on various antidepressants (prozac, effexor, wellbutrin, zoloft, paxil et al), was still cycling from "happy normal" to "sleep-all-day-don't-go-to-work" depression. Ten months ago, psychiatrist re-evaluated diagnosis to Bipolar II. Tried Tegretol first, which was an unhappy experience for me. Then Lamictal (started at 50 mg) with a side of Lexapro. Stopped the Lexapro after one month without any appreciable difference from it. The Lamictal has made a significant difference. No depressive episodes in 10 months, no hypomania. After reaching 200 mg/day (taken at night), was seeing irritability and explosive anger under stressful conditions. Doc recently raised dosage to 225, and we may go to 250. So far, so good. No anger control issues since increasing dosage. The hair loss is a concern, but will work with PCP on improving that condition through either medication or nutritional therapy. | F | 50 | 10 months | 10/9/2006 |