NOTE: NONE OF THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE! I AM NOT A DOCTOR!
Lamictal is a brand name for lamotrigine.
USE:
Lamictal is used for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Usual dose is 50-300 mg a day. Blood-level is not needed, but gradual increase is required.
Most commonly used for the treatment of mania, mixed mania, and hypomania.
SIDE EFFECTS:
From Surviving Manic Depression:
headache, dizziness, insomnia, sleepiness, rash, incoordination.
Some symptoms appear at the start of medication therapy and fade over time.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Began taking Lamictal July 2004. Have not had any problems with this drug so far. Taking 200 mg a day. No major or minor side effects that I can really think of at the moment. It is not taking care of all mood swings, have added another drug, Topamax, recently to help manage more of the manic episodes, but feel that Lamictal is a stable element of treatment. One thing to note is that I've been told that Lamictal is used to treat the more depressive episodes of bipolar disorders than the manic episodes--contrary to what I've read.
written on July 14, 2004; modified on January 4, 2005.