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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Denise528 on January 11, 2002, at 8:23:52
Hi,
Has anyone tried using lamictal as an AD for unipolar depression. If so did it work and after how long?
Thanks Denise
Posted by Mags on January 11, 2002, at 19:24:00
In reply to Can Lamictal be used as an AD 4 unipolar depressio, posted by Denise528 on January 11, 2002, at 8:23:52
Hi Denise,
If you search you will find a fair bit of info on Lamictal. I am on it for depression. The psydoc thinks I may be BPII but not sure as I suffer mostly from depression (My Mom was BPI).
Before I tell you my experiences keep in mind that YMMV. I have VERY unusual reactions to meds and get almost all the bad SE's you can get. In my youth, I fell asleep for two days on Speed!!!I have good news and bad with my experiences. When I initially took it at 12.5 mg I felt an almost immediate response (within a week). I was feeling happy, content and had LOADS of energy. This lasted for 6-8 weeks. Since I have titrated up to 75 MG the feeling is gone..I am not sure why...
I have now backed off to 50mg until I see my doc 'cause the SE's are so bad (muscle aches like the flu, sore throat and ears, tiredness, chest pain and very painful menstruation)
The SE's got worse the higher the dose.
As I said do a search as there is quite a few posts on this subject. Good luck!
Mags
Posted by petters on January 12, 2002, at 3:26:46
In reply to Re: Can Lamictal be used as an AD 4 unipolar depressio » Denise528, posted by Mags on January 11, 2002, at 19:24:00
> Hi Denise,
> If you search you will find a fair bit of info on Lamictal. I am on it for depression. The psydoc thinks I may be BPII but not sure as I suffer mostly from depression (My Mom was BPI).
> Before I tell you my experiences keep in mind that YMMV. I have VERY unusual reactions to meds and get almost all the bad SE's you can get. In my youth, I fell asleep for two days on Speed!!!
>
> I have good news and bad with my experiences. When I initially took it at 12.5 mg I felt an almost immediate response (within a week). I was feeling happy, content and had LOADS of energy. This lasted for 6-8 weeks. Since I have titrated up to 75 MG the feeling is gone..I am not sure why...
> I have now backed off to 50mg until I see my doc 'cause the SE's are so bad (muscle aches like the flu, sore throat and ears, tiredness, chest pain and very painful menstruation)
> The SE's got worse the higher the dose.
> As I said do a search as there is quite a few posts on this subject. Good luck!
> MagsHi...
Yes Lamictal can be very usefull in unipolar depression, especially in refractary cases. Lamictal is the anticonvulsant med associated with the strongest antidepressant effect, even better than litium in this aspect, according severel experts in this area. Very importend is to start slow. 25 mg for two weeks and then 50 mg for two weeks, and...
Best wishes...//Petters
Posted by CalvaryHill on January 12, 2002, at 4:33:17
In reply to Can Lamictal be used as an AD 4 unipolar depressio, posted by Denise528 on January 11, 2002, at 8:23:52
Lamotrigine works on serotonin as an Antidepressant for unipolars, alleviating anxiety and depression, according to these and other studies:
Southam E, Kirkby D, Higgins GA, Hagan RM. Lamotrigine inhibits monoamine uptake in vitro and modulates 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake in rats.
Eur J Pharmacol. 1998 Sep 25;358(1):19-24:
"The inhibition of the p-chloroamphetamine-induced 5-HT syndrome in rats suggests that lamotrigine also inhibits 5-HT uptake in vivo. These effects probably reflect an affinity for biogenic amine transporters..."Erfurth A, Amann B, Grunze H. Female genital disorder as adverse symptom of lamotrigine treatment. A serotoninergic effect?
Neuropsychobiology. 1998 Oct;38(3):200-1:
"The new anticonvulsant, lamotrigine, is becoming an important tool in the treatment of bipolar disorder, including bipolar depression. Its efficacy in bipolar depression might be linked to its inhibition of serotonin uptake..."Kumar TC, Khanna S.
Lamotrigine augmentation of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2000 Jun;34(3):527-8.Shiah IS, Yatham LN, Lam RW, Zis AP. Effects of lamotrigine on the 5-HT1A receptor function in healthy human males.
J Affect Disord. 1998 May;49(2):157-62.
Posted by kiddo on January 12, 2002, at 7:56:11
In reply to Lamictal _is_ an antidepressant » Denise528, posted by CalvaryHill on January 12, 2002, at 4:33:17
Lamictal is an Anti-epileptic drug (AED) and may be used as an Antidepressant. If you take it, you need to watch for a rash as well-and inform your doctor if you, as soon as it's noticed.
Kiddo
> Lamotrigine works on serotonin as an Antidepressant for unipolars, alleviating anxiety and depression, according to these and other studies:
>
> Southam E, Kirkby D, Higgins GA, Hagan RM. Lamotrigine inhibits monoamine uptake in vitro and modulates 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake in rats.
> Eur J Pharmacol. 1998 Sep 25;358(1):19-24:
> "The inhibition of the p-chloroamphetamine-induced 5-HT syndrome in rats suggests that lamotrigine also inhibits 5-HT uptake in vivo. These effects probably reflect an affinity for biogenic amine transporters..."
>
> Erfurth A, Amann B, Grunze H. Female genital disorder as adverse symptom of lamotrigine treatment. A serotoninergic effect?
> Neuropsychobiology. 1998 Oct;38(3):200-1:
> "The new anticonvulsant, lamotrigine, is becoming an important tool in the treatment of bipolar disorder, including bipolar depression. Its efficacy in bipolar depression might be linked to its inhibition of serotonin uptake..."
>
> Kumar TC, Khanna S.
> Lamotrigine augmentation of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
> Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2000 Jun;34(3):527-8.
>
> Shiah IS, Yatham LN, Lam RW, Zis AP. Effects of lamotrigine on the 5-HT1A receptor function in healthy human males.
> J Affect Disord. 1998 May;49(2):157-62.
Posted by Denise528 on January 14, 2002, at 12:10:26
In reply to Re: Lamictal _is_NOT_ an antidepressant, posted by kiddo on January 12, 2002, at 7:56:11
Hello,
Thanks for all of the responses, sounds like a promising drug. I know my Dr is thinking of putting me on Lithium, I may suggest Lamictal instead.
Denise
Posted by petters on January 15, 2002, at 1:26:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal _is_NOT_ an antidepressant, posted by Denise528 on January 14, 2002, at 12:10:26
> Hello,
>
> Thanks for all of the responses, sounds like a promising drug. I know my Dr is thinking of putting me on Lithium, I may suggest Lamictal instead.
>
> DeniseHi...
Why not start with Lamictal. If needed you can add litium in small dosages. It´s a good combo. I use it myself for refractary depression.
Best Wishes...//Pettters
This is the end of the thread.
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