Another Lamictal ?'s

[Twelvesgirl]

I was put on 200mg Lamictal 2 months ago, and my doc is upping my dose to 400mg. I have been extremely depressed the last few of weeks and can't get out of it, which is the reason she upped it, since it is supposed to help w/ depression also.  What is the max therapeutic dose that anyone knows of? Has anyone ever taken that high of a dose and what were the effects? I'm also on Topamax for migraines. Those are the ONLY medications I am taking.

The Lamictal does seem to be working though. My moods feel more even, they are not as all over the place as they were 2 months ago, I still have fluctuations, but not like it was. I was rapid cycling daily and sometimes it felt like a couple times within the day if thats even possible. I'm getting there, I don't feel like I am in a constant battle in my head anymore, only every other day now!

So I do like the Lamictal, just curious to know your experience w/ the medication dosage etc.

Thank you!

[Twelvesgirl]

I feel as though the Lamictal is working well for me. i see my doc on Friday.

Darkestlight: thank you for letting me know you have been on this high of a dose, i was concerned, i know that ILADVOCATE was on 325mg i had read that before. was it a good stabilizer as well as working as anti depressant? i just like to know "real people" views, as well as docs.

ILADVOCATE: I read that at a high dose it can send you into mania, it also said that the mania can be controlled w/ topiramate. I read that on the depression central website. Which I'll ask my doctor about that on Friday as well, she knows what I'm on and has access to the system! They can see what my ongoing conditions are and what meds I'm on etc.

Thanks for writing me back. I feel like Lamictal is the right one, and I'm doing well, not too well though! Being on here has been a big help to me, to recognize in myself symptoms and to take care of myself. You are great. Thanks again!

[adel_ezz]

I am on a 4mg dose but with seroksat/paxil to help. I am increasing my dose slowly. I never thought there is such 800mg. I asked ILADVOCATE whether lamictal develops tolerance so you have to keep increasing the dose constantly and he said no. I wonder why a pt has to go higher and higher.

I think the answer is that there must be an equilibrium to reach between the lamictal and the antidepressant. One needs an MS if we take an AD. So instead of increasing the MS too high one increases a bit the AD. This equilibrium can be answered by a pdoc only.

[Darkestlight]

I was on 400mgs at one point. My pdoc told me he had a patient taking a dose as high as 800mgs.

[LeftCoastChick]

I would talk with your doctor, they have info tht isn't available to us. We can't replace medical advice. You can also talk to your pharmacist.

[ILADVOCATE]

Any of the websites would give the dosage range as would the medication website itself. The max I went to is 325 mg. but it can go higher than that. It should help on the depression but as the dosage goes into that range (and I was directly informed this by my provider) there is the concern of it potentially worsening mania so speak to your psychiatrist about that potential. That doesn't mean they aren't making the right decision especially with an adjunct mood stabilizer like Topomax (even if its prescribed for another purpose it is used in this regard and works this way) it should work out okay.

[Twelvesgirl]

and i don't know why i made ? plural in the topic.....whatever right!