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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mishal on October 24, 2007, at 9:05:54
HiI got my lamictal tabs today. It is an Indian generic named LAMEZ. Tablets are 50mg strong.
Now, I have heard of the deadly rash. How can I best avoid getting a rash? Start with 25 mg daily for a week or two then go up to 50mg?
How is it taken? Morning or at night?
Posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 12:52:25
In reply to Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Mishal on October 24, 2007, at 9:05:54
I think I took mine in the am. Had a starter kit and it started at 25mg then 50 in a week or two then l00mg and to whatever your goal is. The slower you titrate the better. Some even start at l2.mg. Good luck. For depression or bipolar? Phillipa
Posted by JayBTV2 on October 24, 2007, at 14:51:07
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start » Mishal, posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 12:52:25
Definitely don't start higher than 25mg. If you (by chance) are taking Depakote you should only do 25mg every other day since Depakote doubles the half life of Lamictal.
If you go up 25mg every week you _should_ be OK. If you notice a rash of sometype (www.crazymeds.org under the lamictal tab has pics) stop and as I did start at a slower rate.
It's a good med if you can wait it out so don't rush to jump up in dose as I did the first time I tried it.
Good luck!
-Jay
Posted by Deputy Racer on October 24, 2007, at 14:53:53
In reply to Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Mishal on October 24, 2007, at 9:05:54
Advice you receive here cannot substitute for actual medical care. Please see your doctor for advice about starting medications.
If you have any questions regarding the posting policies on this site, please read the FAQ, located at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#decide Follow ups to any administrative aspects of this action should be directed to the Administration board and should themselves be civil.
Deputy Racer
Posted by Jeroen on October 24, 2007, at 15:08:17
In reply to Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Mishal on October 24, 2007, at 9:05:54
that stuff killed my happy life
lamictal caused a paranoid reaction in me after 3 days,it's defined in the literature, it can enhance current psychosis and make you paranoid and can get you into medical emergency room
BE CAREFULL! it happened to me 3 months ago just before the summer
Posted by Phillipa on October 24, 2007, at 16:57:08
In reply to that stuff killed my happy life, posted by Jeroen on October 24, 2007, at 15:08:17
No med should be taken lightly. Just talked to my own pdoc a few minutes ago on a titration of my own different med though. Some are on combos that require special instructions. Too much medical advise from other than ones doc is not good. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 24, 2007, at 20:05:16
In reply to Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Mishal on October 24, 2007, at 9:05:54
I wouldn't take those tablets. Go see your doctor. It's not safe.
Maxime
> Hi
>
> I got my lamictal tabs today. It is an Indian generic named LAMEZ. Tablets are 50mg strong.
>
> Now, I have heard of the deadly rash. How can I best avoid getting a rash? Start with 25 mg daily for a week or two then go up to 50mg?
>
> How is it taken? Morning or at night?
Posted by Dragon Black on October 24, 2007, at 20:47:11
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start » Mishal, posted by Maxime on October 24, 2007, at 20:05:16
> I wouldn't take those tablets. Go see your doctor. It's not safe.
>
> Maxime
>On what authority? None of these drugs are "safe" - so what if it is an Indian generic.
Posted by Maxime on October 24, 2007, at 21:24:46
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Dragon Black on October 24, 2007, at 20:47:11
It is not safe to take meds without a doctor monitoring the situation. It doesn't matter where the lamictal comes from ... she needs to be under a doctor's supervision.
maxime
> > I wouldn't take those tablets. Go see your doctor. It's not safe.
> >
> > Maxime
> >
>
> On what authority? None of these drugs are "safe" - so what if it is an Indian generic.
>
Posted by JayBTV2 on October 25, 2007, at 9:25:43
In reply to that stuff killed my happy life, posted by Jeroen on October 24, 2007, at 15:08:17
Sorry to hear you had a bad reaction :( It's worked well for me.
I guess the potential for a bad reaction is a good reason to have a doctor around in case it doesn't go well for you.
Posted by Dragon Black on October 25, 2007, at 15:14:04
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start » Dragon Black, posted by Maxime on October 24, 2007, at 21:24:46
> It is not safe to take meds without a doctor monitoring the situation. It doesn't matter where the lamictal comes from ... she needs to be under a doctor's supervision.
>
> maximeWhat if someone doesn't have insurance and can't afford the luxury of being under a Doc's supervision? Is it safer to not take a mood stabilizer? I think the AMA/FDA/BigPharma entente has done a tremendous job of convincing us that under no circumstances are we to step outside of their costly circle. I'm not buying it. Obviously, caution is well advised, but one can research how to proceed on their own. Lot's of people don't have health insurance, and they shouldn't just be left out in the cold with nothing. Not even the ones who need scary, dangerous medications.
Posted by Mathia on October 25, 2007, at 15:49:17
In reply to Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Mishal on October 24, 2007, at 9:05:54
Hi, just wanted to give you a warning about that drug. Dont miss a day or two once on it cause it really will make you go off the deep end. My sister is on it and has had 2 episodes where she stopped taking it and was ready to walk off the edge.
GOOD LUCK
Posted by Maxime on October 25, 2007, at 17:54:55
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Dragon Black on October 25, 2007, at 15:14:04
> What if someone doesn't have insurance and can't afford the luxury of being under a Doc's supervision? Is it safer to not take a mood stabilizer?Yes it is safer. How does she know she needs a mood stabiliser. Maybe her thyroid is messed up and overactive. There are a lot of illness that cause problems that mimic mental illness and there is a danger in self diagnosing.
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on October 25, 2007, at 19:33:53
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start » Dragon Black, posted by Maxime on October 25, 2007, at 17:54:55
How well I know. Phillipa
Posted by Dragon Black on October 25, 2007, at 23:50:34
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start » Dragon Black, posted by Maxime on October 25, 2007, at 17:54:55
Well, if the objection that she may have the wrong diagnosis, fine; I'm not really speaking to that. But on that note, doctors misdiagnose all the time, particular BP II. The only reason it took me so long to get my own right is because I listened to the 3 pdocs who got it wrong. misplaced trust is costly, and the price is years of your life.
>
> > What if someone doesn't have insurance and can't afford the luxury of being under a Doc's supervision? Is it safer to not take a mood stabilizer?
>
> Yes it is safer. How does she know she needs a mood stabiliser. Maybe her thyroid is messed up and overactive. There are a lot of illness that cause problems that mimic mental illness and there is a danger in self diagnosing.
>
> Maxime
Posted by msanjelpie on October 26, 2007, at 4:39:10
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Dragon Black on October 25, 2007, at 23:50:34
If you had Lamictal you would know the proper titration schedule. Since you are taking a non FDA approved alternative, one that isn't guaranteed to have the same medication or dosage, you are on your own...
Posted by Dragon Black on October 26, 2007, at 9:34:27
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by msanjelpie on October 26, 2007, at 4:39:10
Yeah, didn't you know Mishal? You are only allowed to take the version of the drug that is cost prohibitive.
BTW, the generic lamotrigine just recently approved by the FDA is manufactured by TEVA; and we all know how much confidence we can place in their generics, right? Budeprion, anyone? This thread is awesome.
> If you had Lamictal you would know the proper titration schedule. Since you are taking a non FDA approved alternative, one that isn't guaranteed to have the same medication or dosage, you are on your own...
Posted by msanjelpie on October 26, 2007, at 13:46:17
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by Dragon Black on October 26, 2007, at 9:34:27
http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/generic-lamictal.html
Not approved until 2008 - What great news though...
Posted by Dragon Black on October 26, 2007, at 15:47:09
In reply to Re: Got Lamictal, Now how to start, posted by msanjelpie on October 26, 2007, at 13:46:17
already approved. the generic tablets won't be available until 2008. the CD (chewable dispersible) tablets are already available.
> http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/generic-lamictal.html
>
> Not approved until 2008 - What great news though...
This is the end of the thread.
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