lamotrigine dosage for depression

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.

Glad to hear things are getting better for you. By the way, the standard dosage for Lamictal is 200 mg. It may help with your depression if you up the Lamictal. Just a thought. Take care.

And mixed states, mania and depression at the same time, are the highest risk for suicide. Pure depression can leave people without the energy to actually go through with suicide, but adding in the manic energy can create the perfect storm. Wellbutrin on average is LESS likely to make people manic, but there are always exceptions. Abilify is mood stabilizing, and is not an AD (many people think it is due to marketing)--it's an atypical antipsychotic.

[citation needed] Lamotrigine has been studied as an adjunctive therapy for treatment of refractory unipolar depression, attaining efficacy on the secondary metric for treatment outcomes (Clinical Global Impressions), but not the primary metrics (Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression).

I have not had any trouble taking Lamotrigine 250mg BID for atypical seizures. Methylphenidate 20mg BID commonly called Ritalin, prescribed for concentration issues. I have taken these for well over 2 years now with no indication of petite mal or grand mal seizures, or seizures of any kind. My ability to concentrate has increased dramatically. I asked my neurologist about sleep and he told me to take the Lamotrigine 250x2 1 time/day.

ve been taking Lamotrigine for over a year. It caused no changes in my weight or appetite. And I swear by the medication.

The only things I can tell you are that none of this will happen quickly and that it does take time to get to a therapeutic dose of lamotrigine (Lamictal). When I tried it, I got 6-week starter packs, then after that dosage increases continued to take time. And, on top of the time it takes to build up, it will also take time for it to work. It's unfortunate and none of us like it, but that is simply how many of these drugs work.

This report examines the clinical use of concurrent ECT and lamotrigine for acute bipolar depression and the transition to maintenance therapy. Methods: Nine patients with acute bipolar depression were simultaneously treated with a course of ECT while titrating lamotrigine for maintenance therapy. We compared mean stimulus intensity, mean seizure duration, and mean time to orientation after treatment for each patient during treatment with their highest and lowest lamotrigine dose.

Hello. :) I suffer from bipolar type 2 and I'm taking lexapro 20mg, anti depressant, and lamictal (probably spelled it wrong) 100mg, mood stabilizer. Since I have started taking them, I have definately improved, however, I'm not satisfied.

Thanks for the responses! Ill just enjoy it whiler I have it then! And hopefully if will just get better and better and better! Now, if I had something for my awful memory! I use to have a very sharp memory. But my STM has went straight down-hill in the last few years.

I have been suffering from major depression and chronic pain for over 10 years. I am currently taking Wellbutrin XL 300mg, Lamotrigine 25 mg, Zyrtec, Levothyroxine 75mg, and Atenolol 50mg. I started Lamotrigine (lamictal generic) 2 weeks ago. On day 9, I developed severe diarrhea and cramps. It was slowed down with 1 pill of Immodium, but after 2 days I decided to eat a "regular" meal and got diarrhea again.

My son is 25 and has seizure disorder. This past Thanksgiving, he had a total of 5 seizures over 24 hours necessitating a hospital visit and stay. They put him on a third seizure medication (Lamotrigine). I spoke with a neurologist at USF who didn't like that a 3rd medication was added before his previous two were maxed out--he was already on Keppra (max dosage) and Depakote (sprinkles--very low dose), so she titrated him up on the Depakote so we could get rid of the Lamotrigine.

I have been taking Ambien for 5 years now and take anywhere from 20-30mg, plus Lamotrigine for Depression, Ropinirole for RLS, and a few others. The Ambien does not work well for me anymore and this past month my insomnia has escalated. In addition to the RLS I have body jolts, hallucinations while I'm falling asleep, and these electrical zapping sensations throughout my body.

I learn something everyday.I really did not know it has been used as an AD.Thanks for the info...I am going to look it up.

I have been on lamotrigine for just over a year, my vivid dreams can be very scary. They have started in the last 6 weeks. My doctor says that I am most likely having episodes of delirium. I have had to get tests done to find out, still waiting for the results. I also may be having absence seizures, for me this has been very hard as I thought that for me I had finally found the right medication. But it may not be. So I guess everyone does reacts differently.

Hello and welcome! I'm sorry you are struggling! I have a few questions and a few concerns for you. One, who diagnosed your depression? Your family doctor? Have you been referred to a psychiatrist? How about therapy? Have you tried any kind of therapy, in addition to the medications? If not, I recommend asking your doctor about a referral to both a psychiatrist (who would manage the medication aspect of your treatment) and a therapist, who will help you learn ways to cope.

Hello, The normal reference ranges for lamotrigine are 2 – 20 ug/mL during chronic therapy. Detecting drug levels in the blood help in proper seizure control and reduction of side effects of the drug. It helps us in identifying whether the drug is in a therapeutic range or not. The decision of dosage adjustments depends on the doctor’s discretion and varies person to person. Do write to us again with more information. Take care and good luck!

Im staying at a low dose of 100mg for Lamo as dosage has to correspond to weight. It has controlled me well too. I take it during nighttime. And no weight gain like what Depakote does... What about you? Whats ur dosage and how was ur Lamictal controlling ur seizures?

ve just found out I am pregnant and I have been taking Abilify (Aripirazole) and Lamictal (Lamotrigine) for the last year, against bipolar disorder, my doctor recommended to reduce it slowly and then stop it. He said that I have taken it so far wouldn't harm the baby. I am still very worried and wondered if anybody has any experience with this. Thank you!

Benzodiazepines can definitely cause a secondary depression in people, now whether your depression is related would be impossible for anyone to say. I just think your doc is going about things a little atypically. Any symptom that inivolves a fever should be more thoroughly investigated. Same goes for a new onset of pain. Sounds like both docs were quick to atrtribute everything to depression and/or your mental/emotional history.

I take 200 mg of the generic, Lamotrigine but I have taken as much as 400mg. I have never had a problem with mania from it. However, lamotrigine works best in keeping depression away and does little in deterring mania. The mania you have been having may have nothing to do with lamotrigine but because it doesn't do anything for it when it comes on. Other mood stabilizers, like lithium and Depakote work well for mania. I would discuss the option of adding one of them to the lamotrigine.

It is unlikely that the symptoms are caused by lamotrigine as you are not on an effective dose yet. So, since the dose is low it can't stop the depression from coming on that is caused by your bipolar. Lamotrigine is not known for causing depression. The lowest dose usually seen as effective is 200mg. But, with this drug you have to increase it slowly. Give it more time and get up to a therapeutic dose. I take lamotrigine - 200mg -- and it has worked well for me with no side effects.

ve discontinued effexor and amitriptyline (for migraine) since starting lamotrigine. So off all antidepresdants now. Taking topomax for migraine which is another anticonvulsant used off label for bipolar.

Lamotrigine dosage for depression

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