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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rjlockhart on April 24, 2007, at 22:16:17
How, or what kind of antidepressant properties does it have?
Will it stop mania all together, because sometimes i just like to get manic.
Is it dulling or stimulanting.
I take Zyprexa 2.5mg - doesnt do much but a bit of zoning.
Lamictal here i come?
Tell me anyone i need to know
Thanks
Rj
Posted by saturn on April 24, 2007, at 22:33:38
In reply to I think im going to Lamictal- who here takes it, posted by rjlockhart on April 24, 2007, at 22:16:17
Matt,
All I can tell you is that if you get a rash you should immediately contact your doctor. It might be nothing, but it could also be very serious.
May I ask if you've been diagnosed with bipolar?
It is alleged to have some antidepressant effects. How I couldn't tell you.
Peace.
Posted by rjlockhart on April 24, 2007, at 22:43:07
In reply to Re: I think im going to Lamictal- who here takes it » rjlockhart, posted by saturn on April 24, 2007, at 22:33:38
I've heard this about this medication.
Like bad.
Right now im worried about my ideinty, well sorry thats off topic.
How long does this medication start to work?
What and how does it bring AD effects?
Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2007, at 22:55:57
In reply to Re: a rash?, posted by rjlockhart on April 24, 2007, at 22:43:07
Usually boosts an antidepressant comes in starter packs of 25mg for two weeks then 50 for two weeks then l00mg. Sometimes higher only if the doc prescribes it higher . And no it doesn't cause mania. It's a good med. Took it twice. Good luck Phillipa
Posted by rjlockhart on April 24, 2007, at 23:01:18
In reply to Re: a rash? » rjlockhart, posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2007, at 22:55:57
Q. How is lamotrigine (Lamictal) used as an antidepressant?
A. Lamotrigine is a novel anticonvulsant with an unknown mechanism of action. There is some evidence that lamotrigine may block 5-HT3 receptors and may also potentiate dopaminergic transmission. This agent has been FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar depression. Two small studies have recently looked at lamotrigine as an adjunctive agent in the treatment of unipolar depression. In a study of 23 patients who had experienced at least one episode of treatment-resistant major depression as a component of unipolar major depression or bipolar II disorder, subjects were randomized to receive fluoxetine (Prozac) and either lamotrigine or placebo (Barbosa et al., 2003). Although both unipolar and bipolar II patients experienced improvement with lamotrigine and fluoxetine on the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale, lamotrigine failed to separate statistically from placebo on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study, lamotrigine or placebo was administered to 40 outpatients concurrently taking paroxetine (Paxil) for acute depression (Normann et al., 2002). The dropout rate for this study was high, with only 24 completers. Upon completion of the nine-week study, both groups improved significantly relative to baseline, but there was no significant difference in HAM-D total scores when comparing lamotrigine and paroxetine to paroxetine and placebo. Nevertheless, lamotrigine did appear to result in significant improvement in HAM-D items 1 (depressed mood), 2 (guilt feelings) and 7 (work and interest), and in CGI-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scores. Patients treated with lamotrigine and paroxetine appeared to show faster onset of antidepressant action and required fewer days of treatment with benzodiazepines. Notably, two of the subjects treated with lamotrigine terminated their involvement prematurely due to neutropenia, and another withdrew because of a benign rash that resolved after discontinuation of lamotrigine. More rigorous studies are clearly needed to address the possible benefits of lamotrigine for the treatment of unipolar depression. Interestingly, lamotrigine has been included as a possible treatment for patients with chronic major depression in whom more traditional pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy have failed (Trivedi and Kleiber, 2001).
In summary, evidence of the efficacy of lamotrigine as augmentation in the treatment of major depression is inconclusive, preliminary and must be replicated by larger, randomized, blinded, controlled studies. Large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are also warranted to address the potential use of lamotrigine as monotherapy for major depression.
References
Barbosa L, Berk M, Vorster M (2003), A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of augmentation with lamotrigine or placebo in patients concomitantly treated with fluoxetine for resistant major depressive episodes. J Clin Psychiatry 64(4):403-407.
Normann C, Hummel B, Scharer LO et al. (2002), Lamotrigine as adjunct to paroxetine in acute depression: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. J Clin Psychiatry 63 (4):337-344].
Trivedi MH, Kleiber BA (2001), Algorithm for the treatment of chronic depression. J Clin Psychiatry 62(suppl 6):22-29.
What is 5HT3 Receptors, do they make you in a bad mood.
Posted by polarbear206 on April 25, 2007, at 7:58:34
In reply to Re: I just found indepth information, posted by rjlockhart on April 24, 2007, at 23:01:18
> Q. How is lamotrigine (Lamictal) used as an antidepressant?
>
> A. Lamotrigine is a novel anticonvulsant with an unknown mechanism of action. There is some evidence that lamotrigine may block 5-HT3 receptors and may also potentiate dopaminergic transmission. This agent has been FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar depression. Two small studies have recently looked at lamotrigine as an adjunctive agent in the treatment of unipolar depression. In a study of 23 patients who had experienced at least one episode of treatment-resistant major depression as a component of unipolar major depression or bipolar II disorder, subjects were randomized to receive fluoxetine (Prozac) and either lamotrigine or placebo (Barbosa et al., 2003). Although both unipolar and bipolar II patients experienced improvement with lamotrigine and fluoxetine on the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale, lamotrigine failed to separate statistically from placebo on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
>
> In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study, lamotrigine or placebo was administered to 40 outpatients concurrently taking paroxetine (Paxil) for acute depression (Normann et al., 2002). The dropout rate for this study was high, with only 24 completers. Upon completion of the nine-week study, both groups improved significantly relative to baseline, but there was no significant difference in HAM-D total scores when comparing lamotrigine and paroxetine to paroxetine and placebo. Nevertheless, lamotrigine did appear to result in significant improvement in HAM-D items 1 (depressed mood), 2 (guilt feelings) and 7 (work and interest), and in CGI-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scores. Patients treated with lamotrigine and paroxetine appeared to show faster onset of antidepressant action and required fewer days of treatment with benzodiazepines. Notably, two of the subjects treated with lamotrigine terminated their involvement prematurely due to neutropenia, and another withdrew because of a benign rash that resolved after discontinuation of lamotrigine. More rigorous studies are clearly needed to address the possible benefits of lamotrigine for the treatment of unipolar depression. Interestingly, lamotrigine has been included as a possible treatment for patients with chronic major depression in whom more traditional pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy have failed (Trivedi and Kleiber, 2001).
>
> In summary, evidence of the efficacy of lamotrigine as augmentation in the treatment of major depression is inconclusive, preliminary and must be replicated by larger, randomized, blinded, controlled studies. Large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are also warranted to address the potential use of lamotrigine as monotherapy for major depression.
>
> References
>
> Barbosa L, Berk M, Vorster M (2003), A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of augmentation with lamotrigine or placebo in patients concomitantly treated with fluoxetine for resistant major depressive episodes. J Clin Psychiatry 64(4):403-407.
>
> Normann C, Hummel B, Scharer LO et al. (2002), Lamotrigine as adjunct to paroxetine in acute depression: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. J Clin Psychiatry 63 (4):337-344].
>
> Trivedi MH, Kleiber BA (2001), Algorithm for the treatment of chronic depression. J Clin Psychiatry 62(suppl 6):22-29.
>
>
> What is 5HT3 Receptors, do they make you in a bad mood.
>
>
Mat,I've been on Lamictal for years. No side effects, no emotional blunting like other mood stabilizers can have. Yes, you can get a rash, but chances that it is the severe form of the rash are LESS THAN 1%. Can't say enough good things about this drug. It changed my life around. I am on 200mg. I noticed a difference when I was on 50mg in the beginning. If you go to remedyfind you will see the high percentage of success rates with this drug. Good luck and please keep us informed on how you are doing.
Polarbear
Posted by polarbear206 on April 25, 2007, at 8:03:10
In reply to Re: I just found indepth information, posted by rjlockhart on April 24, 2007, at 23:01:18
> Q. How is lamotrigine (Lamictal) used as an antidepressant?
>
> A. Lamotrigine is a novel anticonvulsant with an unknown mechanism of action. There is some evidence that lamotrigine may block 5-HT3 receptors and may also potentiate dopaminergic transmission. This agent has been FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar depression. Two small studies have recently looked at lamotrigine as an adjunctive agent in the treatment of unipolar depression. In a study of 23 patients who had experienced at least one episode of treatment-resistant major depression as a component of unipolar major depression or bipolar II disorder, subjects were randomized to receive fluoxetine (Prozac) and either lamotrigine or placebo (Barbosa et al., 2003). Although both unipolar and bipolar II patients experienced improvement with lamotrigine and fluoxetine on the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale, lamotrigine failed to separate statistically from placebo on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
>
> In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study, lamotrigine or placebo was administered to 40 outpatients concurrently taking paroxetine (Paxil) for acute depression (Normann et al., 2002). The dropout rate for this study was high, with only 24 completers. Upon completion of the nine-week study, both groups improved significantly relative to baseline, but there was no significant difference in HAM-D total scores when comparing lamotrigine and paroxetine to paroxetine and placebo. Nevertheless, lamotrigine did appear to result in significant improvement in HAM-D items 1 (depressed mood), 2 (guilt feelings) and 7 (work and interest), and in CGI-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scores. Patients treated with lamotrigine and paroxetine appeared to show faster onset of antidepressant action and required fewer days of treatment with benzodiazepines. Notably, two of the subjects treated with lamotrigine terminated their involvement prematurely due to neutropenia, and another withdrew because of a benign rash that resolved after discontinuation of lamotrigine. More rigorous studies are clearly needed to address the possible benefits of lamotrigine for the treatment of unipolar depression. Interestingly, lamotrigine has been included as a possible treatment for patients with chronic major depression in whom more traditional pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy have failed (Trivedi and Kleiber, 2001).
>
> In summary, evidence of the efficacy of lamotrigine as augmentation in the treatment of major depression is inconclusive, preliminary and must be replicated by larger, randomized, blinded, controlled studies. Large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are also warranted to address the potential use of lamotrigine as monotherapy for major depression.
>
> References
>
> Barbosa L, Berk M, Vorster M (2003), A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of augmentation with lamotrigine or placebo in patients concomitantly treated with fluoxetine for resistant major depressive episodes. J Clin Psychiatry 64(4):403-407.
>
> Normann C, Hummel B, Scharer LO et al. (2002), Lamotrigine as adjunct to paroxetine in acute depression: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. J Clin Psychiatry 63 (4):337-344].
>
> Trivedi MH, Kleiber BA (2001), Algorithm for the treatment of chronic depression. J Clin Psychiatry 62(suppl 6):22-29.
>
>
> What is 5HT3 Receptors, do they make you in a bad mood.
>
>
Mat,Here is a link to a FAQ on Lamictal from Depression Central.
Posted by Sebastian on April 26, 2007, at 12:04:37
In reply to Re: a rash? » rjlockhart, posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2007, at 22:55:57
Its nothing like zyprexa. I found best results at about 50mg lamictal, 100mg was ok, but any higher was not fun. I took it with 5mg zyprexa.
This is the end of the thread.
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