proper dose on the beginning of lamictal

my gpdoc prescribed lamictal today..cuz i told him i cant waite till the 23rd of this month to see the pdoc..

i knowing that it might take up to 4 weeks to feel this..depending on how fast my body metabolizes it..

is this the correct  dosage starting out..hes got me taking 25 mgs 1 at bedtime for 2 weeks..then 50mgs at bedtime for 2 weeks..the  1 --  100mg at bedtime  then see were im at after a week on the 100mgs..

does this sound like the way that you were prescribed..he knew right off the bat how to dose this..

they said at the cvs  pharmacy that it makes you tired is the most common side affect?? like does it knock you out..and does it make you tired the next day??

generally how long does it take to feel working??? i get manic,but not like the way alot of people do..have been cycling though...does this help with deppreshion??

the reason im asking here is word of the persons that take it..a doc or pharmacist just dispense them they dont know what the deal relly is...if most docters or pharmacist ever had to take the meds that we do..mabey they could do more for consultation's.....

thanks alot  all  james

[ILADVOCATE]

Because of the 1 in a thousand risk of a rare rash Lamictal has to be started at 25 mg. and cannot be raised more than 25 mg. a week. That is a FDA regulation. The rare rash (Stephen's Johnson Syndrome) is nothing to be concerned about. As I remember when I started Lamictal if I had any signs of a rash I had to inform my doctor. However, because of this extremely rare side effect by FDA regulations it can only be raised at this rate. I remember starting Lamictal it was frustrating as well but I had to follow my psychiatrist's instructions. If you start to get manic in the meantime perhaps he can add something temporarily.

[jason579]

I broke out in the rash -- it was HELL for two weeks. And it really surprised me because I'm not allergic to anything!  It can be a very big deal if you break out in the rash.

[LeftCoastChick]

From someone who's had good results, you are on the right slow titration of the drug. My pdoc that started me was a resident, and has had specific training on bipolar folks and psychopharmaceuticals, she's planning on working only with BP folks  once she has finished her Residency.  You are on a very slow titration, slower then mine, but in your case I think, and of course only my opinion, your GP is doing it appropriately in your case. The slower you go, the less risk you will have. I hope it helps you, don't expect immediate results, this is a slow acting drug, but for me a life saver. from what I have read it's 2-4/10,000 new users from an extremely up to date source. The info can be a bit overwhelming, but if you want to know everything about the drug, this would be the place. The man who has created the site uses reputable sources that are backed up with recent indepth studies.
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/LamRash.htm

[Amyjo101]

It is a rare but life threatening side effect. SJS can be very serious. But yes this is pretty much the appropriate incremental dosing Jim... Sky is on it has been for 14 months. She has to take it at night because it knocks her on her butt if she doesn't she is tired all day if she takes it in the morning. She was up to 200mg but is now only on 100mg once a day, then her Lithium twice a day and Adderall (adderrall) in the morning.


It took a while for her to get to a therapeutic dose but it definitely helps her.

Amy