Lamictal/Lamotrigine - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

smynthia · 12-25-2009, 06:09 PM

Hello!

I'm currently taking Lamotrigine - the generic for Lamotrigine for Bipolar II disorder.
I am taking the cautious approach, starting out at 25mg for two weeks then increasing after that.

Any experience with the drug? I would appreciate it!

**Astro** · 12-27-2009, 09:01 AM

Wish I could help but I have no experience with it. I'll give this a bump to see if we can get anyone to respond.

Best wishes to you on your journey in recovery.

ranae1221 · 12-27-2009, 01:27 PM

My doc tried me on the medication earlier this year. It didn't work for me, but that's how medications are sadly. It never works the same way for everyone. So while it didn't work for me, I hope it does for you!

***nandm*** · 12-27-2009, 09:36 PM

Lamictal has worked fairly well for me over the past few years. Just be careful of the generic form of it, if you are given Dr. Reddy brand it is known to be not nearly as effective or consistent with dosing. Try to stick with the same brand of generic if you are going to use one.

Cornbrosia · 12-28-2009, 01:17 AM

I used to take it. But anything I ever took was only marginally helpfull until I got sober. So I couldnt really tell you if it worked for me or not. All I know is I stopped taking it for some reason

***nandm*** · 12-28-2009, 12:57 PM

One big concern with Lamictal/Lamotrigine is people can develop a serious and potentially deadly rash from it. If you develop a rash call your doctor and go to the ER immediately as this can be quite serious.

smynthia · 01-02-2010, 10:47 PM

Thank you. I do know about the rash. And the generic I have is from Dr. Reddy. This is my first shot at it, so I am hopeful it works.

blackstrat6 · 03-06-2010, 10:20 PM

I have been on (and off, got in the way of my drinking sometimes) Lamictal for about 5 years and it works for me.
Remember if you are bipolar its the mood stabilizer and you will still probably need an antidepressant at least thats what works for me.
If you suffer this do your selves a favor and take your meds, they work soo well when you are clean and sober!

Ceres · 03-08-2010, 06:33 AM

Love it!!! I'm on something else for the depression that also works with anxiety, Zoloft. So Lamactil I'm taking as a mood stabilizer.

coffeeclub · 03-10-2010, 07:04 AM

yes and it is wonderful for me. I would say that not all drugs are effective for the same person. In other words what works for me may not work for you. I can tell you 25mg may not be enough. I am on 200 mg daily. I have tried 400 daily but that is too much.

You need to just test the waters and find the happy medium. Just remember it is not going to take all your problems away but you should still find the dose that is most effective for you. Taking to much is just as bad as taking to little.

Also this med might not be the one for you. I have taken other meds and they have put me right to sleep. Keep your options open.

I wish you luck

Ceres · 03-10-2010, 08:04 AM

"I am on 200 mg daily."

Me too. I started on 25mg same as you. The start-up plan. :-)

12-25-2009, 06:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
smynthia Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 101	Lamictal/Lamotrigine Hello! I'm currently taking Lamotrigine - the generic for Lamotrigine for Bipolar II disorder. I am taking the cautious approach, starting out at 25mg for two weeks then increasing after that. Any experience with the drug? I would appreciate it!

12-27-2009, 09:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Astro Forum Leader Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family! Posts: 11,826	Wish I could help but I have no experience with it. I'll give this a bump to see if we can get anyone to respond. Best wishes to you on your journey in recovery. __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming---WOW-What a ride!"

12-27-2009, 01:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
ranae1221 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 318	My doc tried me on the medication earlier this year. It didn't work for me, but that's how medications are sadly. It never works the same way for everyone. So while it didn't work for me, I hope it does for you! __________________ Jessica "You can have a perfectly normal life..... if you accept the fact that your life will never be perfectly normal" You laugh because I am different...I laugh because you are all the same

12-27-2009, 09:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 6,579	Lamictal has worked fairly well for me over the past few years. Just be careful of the generic form of it, if you are given Dr. Reddy brand it is known to be not nearly as effective or consistent with dosing. Try to stick with the same brand of generic if you are going to use one. __________________ NOTE: All BB quotes are from the 1st Edition of the Big Book Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being too strong for too long.

12-28-2009, 12:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 6,579	One big concern with Lamictal/Lamotrigine is people can develop a serious and potentially deadly rash from it. If you develop a rash call your doctor and go to the ER immediately as this can be quite serious. __________________ NOTE: All BB quotes are from the 1st Edition of the Big Book Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being too strong for too long.

12-28-2009, 01:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cornbrosia Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 32	I used to take it. But anything I ever took was only marginally helpfull until I got sober. So I couldnt really tell you if it worked for me or not. All I know is I stopped taking it for some reason

01-02-2010, 10:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
smynthia Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 101	Thank you. I do know about the rash. And the generic I have is from Dr. Reddy. This is my first shot at it, so I am hopeful it works.

03-06-2010, 10:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
blackstrat6 Striving to be a better Man! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 223 Blog Entries: 6	I have been on (and off, got in the way of my drinking sometimes) Lamictal for about 5 years and it works for me. Remember if you are bipolar its the mood stabilizer and you will still probably need an antidepressant at least thats what works for me. If you suffer this do your selves a favor and take your meds, they work soo well when you are clean and sober!

03-08-2010, 06:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ceres Go ask the Multivax Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,481 Blog Entries: 42	Love it!!! I'm on something else for the depression that also works with anxiety, Zoloft. So Lamactil I'm taking as a mood stabilizer.

03-10-2010, 07:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
coffeeclub Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 60	yes and it is wonderful for me. I would say that not all drugs are effective for the same person. In other words what works for me may not work for you. I can tell you 25mg may not be enough. I am on 200 mg daily. I have tried 400 daily but that is too much. You need to just test the waters and find the happy medium. Just remember it is not going to take all your problems away but you should still find the dose that is most effective for you. Taking to much is just as bad as taking to little. Also this med might not be the one for you. I have taken other meds and they have put me right to sleep. Keep your options open. I wish you luck

03-10-2010, 08:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
Ceres Go ask the Multivax Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,481 Blog Entries: 42	"I am on 200 mg daily." Me too. I started on 25mg same as you. The start-up plan. :-)

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