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-21 6:15 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 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*
- 2,149,000
- 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 14,300 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 14,300 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 14,300 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 have been taking Phenobarb and dilantin for nearly 50 years. I have frequent seizures, and the neurologist started me on Lamotrigine 25 mg in am and pm. I could not stay awake for the 2 weeks I was taking the Lamotrigine. So she stopped it. Now she is starting it again, and is hoping that in about 4 weeks i will be taking 100 mg am and also pm and that my seizures will be under control. In the meantime she wants to reduce the phenobarb and dilantin. She says I could possibly be off them both in about 3 months, Has any one had any problems similar to these?
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-20 23:38:47
Question/Comment:
I started monotherapy of lamictal 5 yrs ago. My doc wanted to replace phenob which I've taken all my life and had no seizures. About 4 yrs ago I had 2 seizures 4 months apart. I wasn't taking meds on timely schedule. Once I corrected it had no problems since. A month ago I started lamictal xr. Sat I had 2 seizures in the same day! What happened?! I have no idea. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-18 23:53:50
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
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.
244
Patient Comments about
Lamictal