Posted by SLS on June 27, 2005, at 22:43:47
In reply to Starting Lamictal 25mg/day, posted by 4WD on June 27, 2005, at 22:11:57
Hi Marsha.
> Is this an okay dosage?
Yes. Follow the starter pack. I wouldn't drop down to 12.5mg unless you react badly to it.
25mg x 2 weeks
50mg x 2 weeks
100mg x 1 week
200mg x ? clinical evaluation> It's what's in the startup sample pack my pdoc gave me today. But didn't I read someone here was starting at 12.5 mg per day? Also should I take it morning or at night?
I took mine in the morning because I found it somewhat energizing. Some people take all of theirs at night because it makes them sleepy. Once I reached 100mg, I have always taken mine twice a day. The average for bipolar disorder lies at just over 200mg.
> Can I expect to see *any* results in the first week or so?
Yes. Many people experience a very brief improvement at 25mg and 50mg during the first few weeks. This usually disappears, though, and reappears only when the target dosage of 200mg is reached.
> Can the rash happen at any time?
Yes. The really bad one, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, usually appears as a rash beginning at the neck and above. However, any rash should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible. If you do have a rash reaction, one generally discontinues the drug immediately. However, it can be reintroduced and titrated more gradually.
> Or do you have to be on it for a while before it's a risk?
Most rashes have occurred within 2 to 8 weeks of starting Lamictal, although it can appear as much as 6 months later. Proper titration of Lamictal all but abolishes the risk of producing severe rashes.
There was a pretty good website I ran across. Let me see if I can find it.
Here we go.
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/LamRash.htm
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:520257
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050627/msgs/520273.html