Lamictal

(Lamotrigine)

●●●●●
3.7/ 5 average rating with 184 reviewsforLamictal
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Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

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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Quick facts about Lamictal
  • Drug class: Neurology
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (lamotrigine)

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.
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What to expect from Lamictal, on one page

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People’s experience with Lamictal

184reviews so far. What do you think?

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.
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What to expect from Lamictal, on one page

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How it works

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is an antiepileptic. Researchers don't know exactly how it works, but it seems to calm nerve activity in the brain.

Quick facts about Lamictal
  • Drug class: Neurology
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (lamotrigine)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Chewable tablet
  • Dissolving tablet
People’s experience with Lamictal

184reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Lamictal (Lamotrigine) for Seizures

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Stomach problems
  • Headache
  • Vision problems
  • Dizziness
  • Impaired coordination
  • Rash
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Side effect rates for Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

From 1130 clinical trials of Lamictal when taken for adjunctive therapy for epilepsy
  • Dizziness
    38%38%
    13%13%
  • Headache
    28%28%
    19%19%
  • Diplopia
    28%28%
    7%7%
  • Ataxia
    22%22%
    6%6%
  • Nausea
    19%19%
    10%10%
  • Blurred vision
    16%16%
    5%5%
  • Somnolence
    14%14%
    7%7%
  • Rhinitis
    14%14%
    9%9%
  • Pharyngitis
    10%10%
    9%9%
  • Rash
    10%10%
    5%5%
  • Vomiting
    9%9%
    4%4%
  • Cough increased
    8%8%
    6%6%
  • Flu syndrome
    7%7%
    6%6%
  • Dysmenorrhea
    7%7%
    6%6%
  • Fever
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Diarrhea
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Incoordination
    6%6%
    2%2%
  • Insomnia
    6%6%
    2%2%
  • Abdominal pain
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Dyspepsia
    5%5%
    2%2%
  • Constipation
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Tremor
    4%4%
    1%1%
  • Depression
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Anxiety
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Vaginitis
    4%4%
    1%1%
  • Convulsion
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Irritability
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Speech disorder
    3%3%
  • Pruritus
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Vision abnormality
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Neck pain
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Anorexia
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Arthralgia
    2%2%
  • Concentration disturbance
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Amenorrhea
    2%2%
    1%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Lamictal.

Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Placebo

People taking Lamictal felt side effect more

People taking Lamictal felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › History of depression

    Lamictal (Lamotrigine) may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for worsening depression or any unusual changes in mood or behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment or when the dose changes. Report anything concerning to a doctor immediately.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Pharmacist Q&A

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) questions for

Frequently Asked Questions

This medication treats Bipolar Disorder 1 Disorder for individuals 18 or older.

Who is this drug for?

This medication treats Bipolar Disorder 1 Disorder for individuals 18 or older.

Common concerns from people taking Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

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Pregnancy

Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.

See the FDA package insertSee pregnancy safe medications
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.
FDA pregnancy category for Lamictal
CWeigh risks vs. benefits
Price
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Lamictalon 7/5/2015Has changed my life in evening out my mood- no hypo mania but kind of miss feeling more motivated. Have trouble initiating and have to take a lot of countering supplements to deal with fuzzy brain. Worsening soluble vision is a problem.
    62
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Bipolar II disorder
Food
  • Take with food to avoid upset stomach.
Kidneys and liver
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Lamictalon 9/21/2015Need to monitor for liver toxicity
    46
    Man
    Two years or more
    Bipolar II disorder
Sleep
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Lamictalon 6/23/2017If taking with anti-psychotics, separate daily dose to decrease drowsiness. Although I only take 150mg daily so drowsiness could increase at a higher dose.
    16
    Woman
    A year or so
    Bipolar II disorder
Weight
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed Lamotrigineon 10/3/2017No weight gain issues Helps bipolar But causes memory problems. It would probably be fine if I were to stop taking it but it's 100000% worth it
    19
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Bipolar II disorder
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Lamictalon 12/3/2016It's not known for weight gain, but coincidentally I have gained weight since taking. I'm not certain if it is due to Lamictal
    53
    Woman
    Bipolar I disorder (manic)
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Lamictalon 9/26/2016Played a significant role in my 20-30pound weight gain, though it doesn't bother me in the least. I would much rather keep my mental health over my looks any day.
    21
    Woman
    Bipolar I disorder (manic)