Compare Lamictal vs. lidocaine

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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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 nerve pain.

Lidoderm (lidocaine) works well to treat nerve pain that is localized to a small area, but its topical application may cause minor skin irritation.

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4.2/ 5 average rating with 18 reviewsforlidocaine
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.
  • Minimal side-effects compared to other pain relievers since it works locally at the site of application.
  • Won't hurt your kidneys or liver unlike other pain relievers.
  • Available in many different topical formulations to fit your needs.
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.
  • Application may cause minor stinging or burning skin irritation.
  • Used patches requires proper medication disposal since it still contain enough medicine to be dangerous to children and pets.
  • Not a good choice if you've had allergic reactions to numbing medications (local anesthetics) or have a history of irregular heartbeats.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Chewable tablet
  • Dissolving tablet
  • Cream
  • Gel
  • Ointment
  • Jelly
  • Spray
  • Patch
  • Lotion
  • Topical solution
Price
Lowest price
$116.30
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Lowest price
$479.24
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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 review
18 reviews so far
67%
saidit'sworth it
72%
saiditworked well
22%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Lidoderm (lidocaine)?

Leave a review
Side effects
36possible side effects
  • Dizziness
    38%
  • Headache
    28%
  • Diplopia
    28%
  • Ataxia
    22%
  • Nausea
    19%
  • Blurred vision
    16%
  • Somnolence
    14%
  • Rhinitis
    14%
  • Pharyngitis
    10%
  • Rash
    10%
  • Vomiting
    9%
  • Cough increased
    8%
  • Flu syndrome
    7%
  • Dysmenorrhea
    7%
  • Fever
    6%
  • Diarrhea
    6%
  • Incoordination
    6%
  • Insomnia
    6%
  • Abdominal pain
    5%
  • Dyspepsia
    5%
  • Constipation
    4%
  • Tremor
    4%
  • Depression
    4%
  • Anxiety
    4%
  • Vaginitis
    4%
  • Convulsion
    3%
  • Irritability
    3%
  • Speech disorder
    3%
  • Pruritus
    3%
  • Vision abnormality
    3%
  • Neck pain
    2%
  • Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)
    2%
  • Anorexia
    2%
  • Arthralgia
    2%
  • Concentration disturbance
    2%
  • Amenorrhea
    2%
See more detailed side effects
The Lidoderm (lidocaine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
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
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Overdose
    • Use of heating pad on skin
    • Applying patch to red, irritated or broken skin
    • Leaving patch on for more than 12 hours
    • Using patch on a very large area
    • Older age
    • Smaller patients
    • Liver disease
  • Accidental poisoning
    • Not disposing of Lidoderm (lidocaine) correctly
  • Eye irritation
    • Not washing hands after touching or applying Lidoderm (lidocaine)
  • Skin reactions
    • Applying Lidoderm (lidocaine) to warm skin
    • Covering patch with wrap or heating pad
  • Heart problems
    • History of heart problems
    • Using Lidoderm (lidocaine) with medications to treat irregular heartbeat
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Learn more about Lidoderm (lidocaine)