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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JSSFL1 on August 8, 2007, at 16:03:39
I suffer from severe depression. I am no longer able to stay on Lamictal because of price. Its been great but has to go, does anyone know of alternatives that are similar? I am on 600-mg of Lithium which is the real lifesaver....Thanks!!
Posted by brooke484 on August 8, 2007, at 20:21:56
In reply to Lamictal way too expensive any alternatives?, posted by JSSFL1 on August 8, 2007, at 16:03:39
I don't really know the answer to your question (maybe you could try neurotin or depakote?), but I was curious about lithium. Does it also help depression? I thought it was for bipolar disorder. I have severe depression but no one ever mentioned lithium to me.
brooke
Posted by Phillipa on August 9, 2007, at 10:01:56
In reply to Lamictal way too expensive any alternatives?, posted by JSSFL1 on August 8, 2007, at 16:03:39
Can you get into a drug assistance program? Your doc may be able to put you in contact. Love Phillipa
Posted by missjulie on August 9, 2007, at 19:34:14
In reply to Re: Lamictal way too expensive any alternatives?, posted by brooke484 on August 8, 2007, at 20:21:56
Brooke I took lithium alone for pure depression... in my case it did nothing. Really nothing. I felt a little strange and dehydrated but no effect whatsoever on mood. You have to get your blood tested frequently too, which I found to be a pain. I quit after two months. Now, it seems alot of people use lithium PLUS something else... that I never tried.
Posted by brooke484 on August 9, 2007, at 19:53:09
In reply to Re: Lamictal way too expensive any alternatives? » brooke484, posted by missjulie on August 9, 2007, at 19:34:14
Yes, I thought it was used to augment other meds. I had never heard of it being used by itself.
Thanks.
Posted by Jedi on August 10, 2007, at 3:02:02
In reply to Lamictal way too expensive any alternatives?, posted by JSSFL1 on August 8, 2007, at 16:03:39
Hi,
I am assuming from your use of lithium that your depression is bipolar. There is some evidence that the augmentation of lithium with fluoxetine(Prozac) or bupropion(Wellbutrin) may be of benefit in bipolar depression. Both of these medications are available as generics. Fluoxetine is on Walmart's $4 generic list. I believe Lamictal, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline has patent protection in the US until January 2009.
Be Well,
JediReference:
Dev Psychopathol. 2006 Fall;18(4):1213-30.
Bipolar depression: diagnostic and treatment considerations.
Thase ME.
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15123-2593, USA. thaseme@upmc.eduBipolar affective disorder is a recurrent, disabling, and potentially lethal illness that typically begins early in life. Although the disorder is defined by the manic and hypomanic episodes, for most people the depression episodes are the more virulent aspect of the illness. Specifically, the depressive episodes are more numerous, last longer, and are more difficult to treat than the manias, and depression is the principal cause of the illness's increased mortality due to suicide. For people with early-onset depression, predictors of subsequent bipolarity include a family history, psychotic features, and reverse neurovegetative features. Initial episodes of depression are commonly misdiagnosed, which often delays initiation of appropriate therapy and increases the likelihood of treatment with antidepressants alone. Unfortunately, the correct diagnosis is often not made until there has been a treatment-emergent affective switch. There are no treatments specifically approved for bipolar disorder in youth and, among antidepressants, only fluoxetine has been approved. When bipolarity is suspected, treatment with mood stabilizers, both conventional (i.e., lithium, valproate, and carbamazapine) and more recently classified (lamotrigine) and atypical antipsychotics should be prioritized. When antidepressants are indicated in combination with mood stabilizers, first choice options include bupropion and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Studies of adults indicate that several forms of focused psychotherapy may improve longer term outcomes.
PMID: 17064435 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
> I suffer from severe depression. I am no longer able to stay on Lamictal because of price. Its been great but has to go, does anyone know of alternatives that are similar? I am on 600-mg of Lithium which is the real lifesaver....Thanks!!
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