Get Informed: Lamictal
Active Ingredient(s)
Lamotrigine
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. While it is believed to work at multiple sites in the brain, its mechanism of action is not well understood.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-18 1:09 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-17 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Lamictal
- Lamotrigine
- Lamictal XR
- Lamictal ODT
- Lamictal CD
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to the risk of serious, potentially life threatening rashes requiring hospitalization.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 27 Dec 1994
- Est US Patients*
- 2,148,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Lamictal or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Lamictal Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Lamictal interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Lamictal used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 14,200 patients that use Lamictal (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Bipolar Disorder | 47% | 
|
| Epilepsy/Seizures | 40% | 
|
| Depression | 22% | 
|
| Anxiety | 14% |
|
| Other | 2% |
|
How well does Lamictal work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 14,200 users taking Lamictal (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 91%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Lamictal outweigh the bad things.
- 8%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Lamictal.
Common Side Effects of Lamictal
iGuard regularly polls our more than 14,200 users taking Lamictal (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
34% of patients experience side-effects on Lamictal
4% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Lamictal
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Headache
-
Insomnia
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Acne, Balance/Coordination Problems, Constipation, Cough, Dryness, Fatigue, Grogginess/Confusion, Itch/Rash, Light Sensitivity, Memory/Speech Problems, Skin/Nail Problems, Suicidal Thoughts, Swelling/Edema, Tremor, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Lamictal (Lamotrigine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I'm an 80 year old female and have been experiencing occasional dizziness and constant hair loss. I take lamotrigine 200mg.,Paxil 40mg,simvastatin 20mg.,and elavil 50mg. Is there any way I can reduce my hair loss?
81 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-17 09:40:18
Question/Comment:
Is this a medicine I can get off of for good? I was put on lamotrigine t25mg tablets for depression. It is supposed to enhance my cymbalta 30mg 3x a day. I really want to get off some or all my medicines. I take 8 pills not counting my vitamins.
Posted: 2010-03-16 20:47:24
Question/Comment:
Is the comment above regarding the FDA approved 20% variation in the potency of active ingredients between generic/brand meds true?
42 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-14 10:44:02
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Generics are approved by the FDA and must show that they contain the same amount of active ingredient as the brand name product. If you have any specific concerns about your medications, you should discuss them with your physician and pharmacist.
Posted: 2010-02-19 10:17:53
Question/Comment:
I currently take lithium, trazodone, venlafaxine, provigil. My doctor has started me on 25 mg of lamictal because I want to get off of lithium due to it's effect on thyroid or kidney. I have been taking 600 mg of lithium, but now that I am trying lamictal, I am to reduce the 600 mg of lithium to 300 mg. I am supposed to watch for side effects from taking the lamictal. Have there been any complications with taking these drugs together?
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-13 09:00:58
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There are interactions between your medications, but as long as your doctor is monitoring your condition and your symptoms, the interactions should be minimal. Both lithium and Lamictal taken together can increase the risk for excessive sedation or drowsiness. You are decreasing your lithium dose as you increase your Lamictal dose which will help to minimize the risk of this side effect. In general, when you are adjusting your medicines, you should watch for any changes in your mood or behavior, or any other side effects and report them to your doctor. You may also wish to let a close family member or friend know that you are making adjustments so they can watch for unusual symptoms or side effects as well. Continuing to see your physician on a regular basis and keeping him or her informed of your progress will help you smoothly transition to Lamictal.
Posted: 2010-01-13 17:41:14
Answer/Reply:
The biggest worry about taking Lamictal is the rash that you can get...it can be deadly, so if you get one...don't fool with it. Call your Doc immediately so that he/she can evaluate it!
44 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-10 17:37:08
Question/Comment:
back in may, 09 i was hospitalized , thought i was having a stroke. was falling asleep at the drop of a hat for weeks before that, was on cymbalta,90mg, and lamictal 100mg, and taking 025 xanax prn for panic, not often. had stroke symptoms upon entering hospital, kept four days, seen by five specialists and tested in side and out, in every way possible. they took me off my meds immediately, cold turkey on first day. was excessive sedation. had horrible withdraws for four weeks.
54 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-06 12:39:38
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
242
Patient Comments about
Lamictal