![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 3:40:03
Hi,
I took 400mg of Lamictal the other night (I know you're not supposed to) and noticed the next day less anxiety and a slight antidepressant effect.
I've taken lamictal about a year ago and got up to 200mg without getting the deadly rash.
I was wondering if it would be ok for me to take 50mg a week and double the dose every week as the usual titration would seem to take an awfully long time.
Has anyone else done this?
Kind Regards......Denise
Posted by SLS on May 26, 2006, at 7:43:09
In reply to Lamictal starting at 50mg, posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 3:40:03
Did you take 400mg as an initial dose?
Ouch.
The rash reaction to Lamictal is very unpredictable. I would not recommed that you continue at a dosage above 100mg at this point. You might tolerate something like:
50mg x 1 week
100mg x 1 week
150 x 1 week
200 x 2 weeksHowever, you really need to monitor closely for any kind of rash, especially one that begins from the neck up. If one occurs, you will need to discontinue the drug immediately and wait a week before rechallenging. If this happens, you will know that you will need to reintroduce the drug in a manner recommended by the manufacturer.
Good luck.
- Scott
> Hi,
>
> I took 400mg of Lamictal the other night (I know you're not supposed to) and noticed the next day less anxiety and a slight antidepressant effect.
>
> I've taken lamictal about a year ago and got up to 200mg without getting the deadly rash.
>
> I was wondering if it would be ok for me to take 50mg a week and double the dose every week as the usual titration would seem to take an awfully long time.
>
> Has anyone else done this?
>
>
> Kind Regards......Denise
Posted by psychosage on May 26, 2006, at 12:13:41
I wouldn't do that. I would definitely just chill out and understand that even at low doses there are antidepressant effects (25mg-50mg). I experienced a rash while titrating on Trileptal after having been on it for 6 months though I really didn't know at the time. So just because you have been introduced to the drug before doesn't mean you can get a way from the rash for sure.
The usual way to go from the starter kit for non-valproate and non-enzyme inducing is 25mg for 2 weeks, 50mg for two weeks (where I am at), then 100mg, then doctor's orders.
Are you on valproate or another AED (antiepileptic drug)?
Remember, if you are having acute problems then you should probably be looking at lithium, valproate, equepro (or another carbazepine or Trileptal) or an atypical antipsychotic. Lamictal is used as a bridge from one of those antimanics or as adjunct antidepressant/mood stabilizer.
Posted by curtm on May 26, 2006, at 12:22:34
In reply to Lamictal starting at 50mg, posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 3:40:03
I was wondering the same thing as I recently quit taking Lamictal. I wondered what I should do if I decided to restart it in the future. Also, should I have weaned off it?
good question
Posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 13:20:04
In reply to Lamictal starting at 50mg, posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 3:40:03
Hi Scott,
I always feel more reassured when you respond (for some reason) probably because you seem to be one of the more stronger ones on this board.
Anyway, yes I did take 400mg in my impatience to feel better, I took 400mg a couple of weeks ago and had to call the paramedics because I thought I was going to pass out so silly of me to do it again.
I'm going to do what you advise however and start off at 50mg increasing every week, that is if I can get my new psychiatrist (who I'm losing faith in) to prescribe it.
Sometimes I don't feel too scared of the rash (maybe a bit melodramatic I know) but I think if these drugs aren't going to help me then let them just kill me.
However, I always (hopefully) have my trustee friend Zyprexa to pull me through.
Denise
Posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 13:22:08
In reply to follow directions, posted by psychosage on May 26, 2006, at 11:02:12
Hi,
Thanks for responding, I think I will do as you advise but start at 50mg. Otherwise it's going to take so long to titrate up. I do have Zyprexa and it does help a lot so I'll use that in the meantime.
Thanks....Denise
Posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 13:23:59
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg, posted by curtm on May 26, 2006, at 12:22:34
Hi,
Yes well I'm probably not the best person to advise you given my gung ho approach :-)
I think it's ok that you didn't wean off though but I should do what Scott and Psychosage suggested.
Denise
Posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2006, at 13:54:49
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - Curtm, posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 13:23:59
I keep reading to start real slow I was prescribed it this week Starter pack says start at 25mg but I playing it safe and will start at l2.5mg. My pack increases the doses each week. But do you take it in the morning or at bedtime and what is stronger triletal or lamictal. This is for tx resistant depression will it keep me awake at night if I take it then. I like to take my meds at night that way I sleep through it. Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on May 26, 2006, at 18:05:43
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - Curtm, posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 13:23:59
Hi Denise.
Here is a good webpage devoted to the Lamictal rash:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/LamRash.htm
- Scott
Posted by psychosage on May 26, 2006, at 19:02:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - Curtm » denise1966, posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2006, at 13:54:49
Trileptal and Lamictal are like apples and oranges. Trileptal, if you compare it to Tegretol, is more of an antimanic mood stabilizer that works from above. Lamictal works from below as activating antidepressant, and at 100mg and above has mood stabilizing effects for rapid cycling bipolar.
I have read about Lamictal causing insomnia, so do not take it at night. A good place to look for Lamictal reports is Remedyfind:
Posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2006, at 19:15:34
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - Curtm » Phillipa, posted by psychosage on May 26, 2006, at 19:02:38
Thanks but I thought caused migraine headaches? Love Phillipa
Posted by psychosage on May 26, 2006, at 19:16:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - Curtm » denise1966, posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2006, at 13:54:49
Posted by psychosage on May 26, 2006, at 19:17:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - Curtm » psychosage, posted by Phillipa on May 26, 2006, at 19:15:34
my head does seem to be a little more tense, but not at migraine level yet.
Posted by heaven help me on May 27, 2006, at 15:33:00
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - » Phillipa, posted by psychosage on May 26, 2006, at 19:17:30
I started Lamictal 1 year ago by using the starter pack exactly as it said I should. I am now on 200mg of Lamictal and I take it at night. I had bad insomnia before the Lamictal and it is not nearly as bad now (nothing Valium or Restoril can't take care of - and they did not help before) I do not have headaches or migraines (but had them pre-drug days)
All this is just FYI
blessings
mary
Posted by ed_uk on May 28, 2006, at 13:19:33
In reply to Re: Lamictal starting at 50mg - Curtm, posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 13:23:59
Hi Denise
Do be careful! When lamotrigine was first introduced rapid titration was common......and so was the rash. The slow titration greatly reduces the risk of a serious rash developing.
I think you should be cautious with your lamotrigine and take Zyprexa PRN in the mean time if you feel bad.
Ed x
PS. Are you taking generic lamotrigine or Lamictal? Just curious.
Posted by Denise190466 on May 31, 2006, at 14:17:00
In reply to Lamictal starting at 50mg, posted by denise1966 on May 26, 2006, at 3:40:03
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the words of caution but sometimes (especially lately) I really don't care about the rash or dying.
Anyway, I've scrapped the lamictal, the 50mg wasn't doing anything, I'm not sure what type it was I found it in my drawer from about three years ago.
I did have to take a Zyprexa yesterday as all I could think about was suicide and I was very agitated had to keep leaving the house just to walk and smoke so don't think the Cymbalta is helping much. I've started the Seroxat again as I hadn't been as bad on that but who knows I'll probably get the same old agitation again in a weeks time.
I'm seeing this professor guy soon, my psychiatrist reckons he's good so I'll see what he has to say. I'm really thinking about trying ECT again and doing the whole course this time if they'll let me. But I'm so scared it won't work or that it won't work and that having it will stop the Zyprexa from working. That's my main concern, as I see the Zyprexa as my sinking fund so to speak. The one thing I can count on to help if all else fails.
Whilst I've got you, do you know if Klonopin or xanax are as good for anxiety as Zyprexa is?
Thanks...Denise
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.