Lamotrigine (lamictal)

[andybear57]

I was diagnosed as bipolar type 2 back in June 2005, and since then have been on Lamotrigine (Lamictal) on an increasing dosage.  I have been at the max dosage that my doctor said is allowed (350 mg/day).  So that means over 4 years that I've been taking this drug.

I have found that since taking lamictal, my depression has all but vanished, but it does not control my manic behavior at all.  So as an anti-depressant, I think it's very effective for me.  But I'm wondering if I should start to wean myself off of this drug, and try not taking anything.  I have tried others, to no avail.

Has anyone had experience with this?  Thanks so much.

[mel722]

i've been taking lamictal for 4 years as well and i actually take 400mg, which i thought was the max dose but maybe 350 is.  i experienced the same thing concerning the mania... so my psch perscribed me an antipsychotic.  i have heard people say this before but i've really been on every possible mood stabilizer for bp.   depako neurontin triliptal, lithium and the list goes on.  everyone responds differently to meds as i'm sure you know but i can honestly say lamictal saved my life.  maybe you should think about adding an antipsychotic.  i take trilafon.... it has a ton of side effects but i've never experienced any.  i've heard ambilify works wonders but it lowered my blood presurre too much oh and one more thing yeah serequoel is horrible stuff.  

[cornyguy]

You could ask any Psychiatrist whom you do meet for starting either Tegretol or Trileptal which are effective mood stabilizers in Bipolar disorder.Depakoate is good too.

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes the potential of tachycardia is higher in atypical antipsychotics. A person can build up a tolerance to Ativan. One benzodiazepene with a lower potential for that is Klonopin which I've taken for 10 years. There are many other medications used off label for mood stabilizers. Here is a full list:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm
You could call your local NAMI hotline for a referral to a psychiatrist which might be one way to find one.

[andybear57]

Thanks folks for your answers.  I have tried Seroquel and had a bad cardiac (tachycardia) response to it, and that class of drugs in general is not good for me (have had same problems).

I'm also having problems with Ativan at the moment, have been taking 1mg at night every night for about 8 months.  If I don't take one, I have the most horrible violent nightmares ever.  So I don't know what to do.  My family doctor is the one who manages both the lamictal and the Ativan and he's not as experienced (he's a resident) with psychiatric drugs as a psychiatrist.  Finding a psychiatrist whom I like is tough around here.

Anyway thanks for your feedback, I'm glad you agree that lamictal is good for depression but not for bipolar disorder.

Best
Andrew

[adel_ezz]

as corryguy said don't stop lamictal on your own. your pdoc will add another thing with it. true lamictal is good for depression but not very effective in mania but this a known fact, yet in my view the best ms ever (of course this depends on the individual). discuss adding seroquel with it.

[cornyguy]

Yes it is said Lamictal may not help in the other side of BP and only be helpful in depression.Please dont stop Lamictal on your own but you could discuss with your Psychiatrist about other options regarding adding or replacing Lamictal with other medications but please dont stop meds on your own.