Get Informed: Lamictal XR
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:
- 2009-Nov-20 5:30 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-18 6:14 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*
- 2,174,000
- 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 XR or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Lamictal XR
Lamictal XR Safety Report
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What is Lamictal XR used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 12,700 patients that use Lamictal XR (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 | 53% | 
|
| Epilepsy / Seizures | 26% |
|
| Depression | 20% |
|
| Anxiety | 9% | 
|
| Insomnia | 6% |
|
| Migraine / Headache | 4% |
|
| Other | 10% |
|
How well does Lamictal XR work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 12,700 users taking Lamictal XR (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)
- 76%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Lamictal XR outweigh the bad things.
- 17%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Lamictal XR.
Common Side Effects of Lamictal XR
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 12,700 users taking Lamictal XR (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.
43% of patients experience side-effects on Lamictal XR
12% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Lamictal XR
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Drowsiness
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Dry Mouth
-
Itch/Rash
-
Dizziness
-
Increased Appetite
-
Headache
-
Tremor
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Insomnia
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Acne, Blurred Vision, Constipation, Diarrhea, Mood/Behavior Problems, Restlessness, Skin Problems, Sleep Problems, SUN Sensitivity, Sweating, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Lamictal XR (Lamotrigine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
For someone with epilepsy , and I know everyone is different . What I need to know is.
What is the average dose of lamictal XR for a person who has epilepsy with tonic clonic seizures . What is the maximum dose of lamictal XR for a non pregnant person.
Thank you and looking forward to a response
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-28 13:07:57
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
As you stated, everyone is different and because of that, the dose is often based on therapeutic response in each patient. However, the prescribing information for Lamictal provides some guidance to answer this question. The maintenance dose range for Lamictal XR depends on other medications you are taking. For partial onset seizures in patients 13 and older, the Lamictal XR prescribing information provides these ranges for maintenance doses:
For patients TAKING Valproate: Lamictal XR maintenance dose ranges from 200 to 250 mg per day
For Patients NOT TAKING Valproate, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Primidone, or Valproate: Lamictal XR maintenance dose ranges from 300 to 400 mg every day
For Patients TAKING Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, or Primidone and NOT TAKING Valproate: Lamictal XR maintenance dose ranges from 400 to 600 mg every day
There are also other medications, including rifampin (a medication to treat tuberculosis) and certain oral contraceptives, that can affect the dosing of Lamictal XR.
The dosing of Lamictal XR can be confusing and concerning for some patients. The above maintenance doses from the prescribing information are used by doctors to guide dosing. Some doctors may prescribe higher doses based on lab values, patient seizure response, and side effects reported by the patient. If you have concerns about your dose or if you are experiencing side effects, please discuss your concerns with your doctor. Your doctor will have your complete medical history and will be able to explain why he/she prescribed your specific dose and adjust your dose if needed.
Posted: 2009-10-22 00:43:27
Question/Comment:
I am 50 years old and have 'treatment resistant chronic depression' and bi-polar with anxiety disorder and agoraphobia. Through the years I have tried over 30+ medications/combos, etc.
I am now on 80mg prozac, 1mg xanax 3x per day or as needed, and lamictal 200 mg. I stayed on this regime for over 2 years, then they came out with the generic for lamictal and it screwed up everything. There is NO WAY that the generic and the Lamictal brand are the same. I started with a rash and had to stop the generic immediately and go back on the Brand name. Now I am experiencing rashes again, but with summer it's hard to tell if it's an allergic reaction to bug bites or what is going on. I had to stop the lamictal and I found out the hard way that Lamictal was the drug that was the glue holding me together. I can barely function without it. I still am healing from the mysterious rash but both my doctor and I are wary to go back on the drug because of the rash. So my question is - if anyone experienced the rash - how long did it take to heal after stopping the drug? It seems the rash can take many forms - I don't know what is what anymore, but I am completely miserable. It takes me hours to make a decision and the anxiety/agoraphobia is so much worse. Any suggestions on drugs that may help take the place of Lamictal?
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 06:18:31
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Approximately up to 10% of patients who have taken Lamictal during the clinical trials of the drug, reported rash as a side effect. Since the rash severity and recovery varies from person to person, it is difficult to say how you will respond. Hopefully other iGuard members who have experienced rash with Lamictal will respond to this post and share their experiences.
Other iGuard members report using Abilify, Seroquel, Depakote, Wellbutrin, and Lithium to treat their BiPolar Disorder. You can see the complete list of medications that iGuard members use for BiPolar Disorder on our webpage for this condition (https://iguard.org/condition/BIPOLARDISORDER.html).
If you have already tried these medications, you may want to go back and try one of the previously tried combinations that gave you some relief. You and your doctor can then work to adjusts doses or add new medications.
Posted: 2009-10-01 20:23:30
Question/Comment:
I take lamictal for bipolar disorder. I don't really feel I need it as I have been good for two months now. I beleive God has saved me from being bipolar.
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-22 12:08:10
Answer/Reply:
Bipolar cycles may be longer than 2 months. If yours are that far apart, that's great, but as a person that "coped" for 30 years and then medicated, and not medicated during financial trying times. I can definitely see the difference medication has been in my life. My advice, talk to a doctor, and not just a family doctor that is going to agree that you feel fine and therefore should not be on medication. Good luck.
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-25 16:43:38
Answer/Reply:
Please do not stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor.
The reason you probably feel you don't need it anymore is because ITS WORKING!
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 05:45:25
Answer/Reply:
I was in a manic state of depression 4 years ago. I was administered 16 different medications that caused suicide attempts. I was finally put on Lamictal & Cymbalta. I have been on that combination for 3 years now, with no relapse.
My Doctor calls me his "Poster Child" because I've come such a long way & more importantly he says my success is because I comply to taking my medications. I know other people that start feeling well, and perceive themselves as "healed". They stop taking their meds, & relapse being worse off than they were prior to taking meds. My advice is if works, don't fix it.
There were times when I refused to take meds for fear they would cause sucidal behavior, severe depression, mania. I finally realized that nothing was making me better, and resigned myself to taking the meds. Today stopping my medications is not an option. I will always comply.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-10 16:54:15
Question/Comment:
My son, now 19, has shaken baby syndrome and, as a result, has seizures. He was taking Tegritol for about 10 years, which controlled his seizures, but made him unable to control his emotions, mostly his anger. His doctor switched him to Lamictal and he is a totally different person. He has been taking this for 6 years now, with no ill effects. His seizures are in check, he is more likely to control his emotions and is doing well. We still have an occassional outburst, but usually when he is very tired. He takes 700 mg daily (350 mg twice a day). This drug was a Godsend for us, as when he hit puberty his emotions were out of control and he was becoming violent because he could not control himself.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-18 14:01:18
Question/Comment:
My son, now 19, has shaken baby syndrome and, as a result, has seizures. He was taking Tegritol for about 10 years, which controlled his seizures, but made him unable to control his emotions, mostly his anger. His doctor switched him to Lamictal and he is a totally different person. He has been taking this for 6 years now, with no ill effects. His seizures are in check, he is more likely to control his emotions and is doing well. We still have an occassional outburst, but usually when he is very tired. He takes 700 mg daily (350 mg twice a day). This drug was a Godsend for us, as when he hit puberty his emotions were out of control and he was becoming violent because he could not control himself.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-18 13:56:30
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Patient Comments about
Lamictal XR