Compare Lamictal vs. Imitrex
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is most useful for treating severe seizure disorders, and for bipolar disorder with more depression symptoms than manic symptoms. Just be careful to increase your dose slowly to avoid skin rash.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 184 reviewsforLamictal
Treats migraine headaches.
Imitrex (Sumatriptan) is an excellent choice for acute migraine relief, but you might need another medication to prevent headaches.
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3.9/ 5 average rating with 31 reviewsforImitrex
Upsides
- Effective at lowering the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy or Lennox-Gestaut syndrome. Typically used together with other medications for severe seizure disorders.
- Works best for partial, tonic-clonic, and absence seizures.
- A first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective long-term treatment for stabilizing mood. Prevents both depressive and manic episodes, but the effect is greater for preventing depression.
- Doesn't require routine blood tests.
- Comes in several forms. Ask your doctor if you should use the pill, nasal spray, patch, or injection.
- A combination of forms can be used if symptoms do not improve.
- The nasal spray and injectable forms work very quickly.
- It's generally safe to use if you are pregnant.
- Comes in a generic form, so it can be pretty cheap.
Downsides
- Can cause double vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache.
- Has the risk of a rare but life-threatening rash.
- Can make hormonal birth control less effective.
- Might be less effective than other medicines for treating manic episodes (acute mania) in people with bipolar disorder.
- The oral and nasal versions of Imitrex (Sumatriptan) have an unpleasant after-taste.
- Does not prevent migraine headaches; it only treats them once they start.
- Must wait 1 hour before using second injection.
- Can cause rebound (more) headaches if Imitrex (Sumatriptan) is used too often.
- Need to have your blood pressure checked often, especially if you're pregnant.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Chewable tablet
- Dissolving tablet
- Pill
- Injection
- Nasal spray
Price
Lowest price
$45.20
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$12.76
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Reviews
184 reviews so far
66%
saidit'sworth it
58%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lamictal (Lamotrigine)?
Leave a review31 reviews so far
74%
saidit'sworth it
68%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Imitrex (Sumatriptan)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
36possible side effects
- Dizziness38%
- Headache28%
- Diplopia28%
- Ataxia22%
- Nausea19%
- Blurred vision16%
- Somnolence14%
- Rhinitis14%
- Pharyngitis10%
- Rash10%
- Vomiting9%
- Cough increased8%
- Flu syndrome7%
- Dysmenorrhea7%
- Fever6%
- Diarrhea6%
- Incoordination6%
- Insomnia6%
- Abdominal pain5%
- Dyspepsia5%
- Constipation4%
- Tremor4%
- Depression4%
- Anxiety4%
- Vaginitis4%
- Convulsion3%
- Irritability3%
- Speech disorder3%
- Pruritus3%
- Vision abnormality3%
- Neck pain2%
- Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)2%
- Anorexia2%
- Arthralgia2%
- Concentration disturbance2%
- Amenorrhea2%
6possible side effects
- Pain and other pressure sensations6%
- Atypical sensations5%
- Paresthesia (all types)3%
- Sensation warm/cold3%
- Pain - location specified2%
- Malaise/fatigue2%
Risks and risk factors
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression
- Serious skin rash
- People also taking Depakote
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Increasing the dose too quickly
- Serious allergic reactions
- Blood disorders
- Meningitis
- Interactions with birth control pills
- Taking birth control pills
- Withdrawal seizures
- Stopping Lamictal (Lamotrigine) suddenly
- Tightening of blood vessels (myocardial angina, ischemia, or infarction)
- History of heart problems
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Stroke
- History of heart problems
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Stomach bleeding
- Serotonin syndrome
- Patients taking SSRIs and SNRIs
- High blood pressure
- History of high blood pressure
- Seizures
- History of seizures