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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 13:58:51
I have a feeling my psychiatrist may want to give lamictal a try.
I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me any decent sourced information about this drug?
Can anyone compare it to lithium or valproate in terms of side effcts, esp cognative?
Thanks, all information appreciated.
Linkadge
Posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 15:18:37
In reply to Lamotrigine info requested, posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 13:58:51
I'm sure you've read plenty on the subject yourself over the years to know what you're talking about on the technical side of things link. I can only offer the RemedyFind ratings as a general indicator of personal experiences and add my own. http://www.remedyfind.com/treatments/0/479/
I found lamotrigine was the best antidepressant I ever took in combo with Klonopin. It seemed to keep my mood bright and stable for two years. When I quit benzos I started to find the Lamictal too agitating so I stopped that too. At the beginning of treatment I had some cognitive problems - mainly what seemed to be a form of drug-induced dyslexia. Words would rearrange themselves on the paper and I would often spell things backwardly or 'inside out'. This seemed to go away after a few weeks and I didn't notice any problems with long-term treatment.
I did get the rash at first but that went away after two weeks. I got it again when I took it last September but this time I decided not to persevere with it because I felt so ill.
I can't compare it with lithium as I've never taken it, but I'd say lamotrigine allowed me to have a normal emotional range compared to Depakote and had fewer side effects long term.
Posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 15:59:38
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested » linkadge, posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 15:18:37
Thanks for the information. I can't find much technical information on this drug.
Linkadge
Posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 16:17:55
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested, posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 15:59:38
I was trying to find info on what exactly it does to the NMDA receptors and glutamate but all the info seemed quite vague. Maybe the exact mechanism isn't fully understood yet? I thought you might have better access to info at pubmed etc. than most, that's all. I'll have a look in my "Essential Psychopharmacology; neuroscientific basis and practical applications" book but I have a feeling it wasn't widely used in 2000 when my copy was published.
Q
Posted by notfred on February 15, 2007, at 16:57:05
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested » linkadge, posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 15:18:37
I just started Lamictal today for seizure disorder.
I find this forum useful:http://www.crazymeds.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=lamictal
Posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 17:23:36
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested, posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 15:59:38
The book just says that lamotrigine "is postulated to inhibit sodium channels and inhibit the release of glutamate".
Q
Posted by blueberry1 on February 15, 2007, at 19:19:02
In reply to Lamotrigine info requested, posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 13:58:51
To get a feel for side effects maybe visit askapatient.com and remedyfind.com. Real users rate the drug and comment on side effects so you can get an idea of what is common and what happens once in a while.
Mechanism seems sketchy. I'm sure SLS or Hoover would know more so I hope they show up for this thread. At pubmed in some test with rats they determined it had some unknown noradrenergic and serotonergic action. Felt dopaminergic to me. Also some mention of maoi action, though that may not be significant enough for its effects.
I tried lamictal 3 times starting at 6mg for a couple days, 12.5mg for a couple days, and finally 25mg. To me it felt dopaminergic. It had a profound antidepressant effect within 36 hours. As I got up to 25mg I began getting tired and nervous at the same time which was weird. And I felt like I was getting more depressed real fast all of a sudden. Also gave me sexual side effectcs like an increased prolactin thing. Weird because I don't recall anyone ever talking about sexual side effects on lamictal and it isn't listed as a side effect.
Looking back, I think lamictal mixed badly with zyprexa. Every time I tried lamictal I was also on zyprexa, and also had either just finished some antidepressant or was starting a different one, so too many things were changing all at once. I still have some and plan to try it again. One person at remedyfind actually uses 6mg. That dose worked right away and the person stayed with that dose. I might use that same logic when I try it again. Whatever dose works, I'm staying with it.
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2007, at 19:39:52
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested, posted by blueberry1 on February 15, 2007, at 19:19:02
Tried it twice got to 50mg and excess salivation an uncommon side effect but intolerable. I didn't notice anxiety or depression or cognitive defects. Love Phillipa
Posted by notfred on February 15, 2007, at 20:33:50
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested » linkadge, posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 17:23:36
"The book just says that lamotrigine "is postulated to inhibit sodium channels and inhibit the release of glutamate"
The monograph indicates it also lightly brushes the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor and the sigma opioid receptors.
Posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 20:37:15
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested, posted by notfred on February 15, 2007, at 20:33:50
>The monograph indicates it also lightly brushes the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor and the sigma opioid receptors.
Which monograph are you referring to notfred? Could you provide a link?
I've heard elsewhere lamotrigine helps prevent tolerance to opiods. I wonder if this is why?
Q
Posted by notfred on February 15, 2007, at 22:30:17
In reply to Re: Lamotrigine info requested » notfred, posted by Quintal on February 15, 2007, at 20:37:15
> Which monograph are you referring to notfred? Could you provide a link?
>The GlaxoSmithKline monograph.
http://www.crazymeds.org/lamictalpi.pdf
Lamotrigine had a weak inhibitory effect on the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor (IC50 = 18 μM). It does
not exhibit high affinity binding (IC50>100 μM) to the following neurotransmitter receptors:
adenosine A1 and A2; adrenergic α1, α2, and β; dopamine D1 and D2; γ-aminobutyric acid
(GABA) A and B; histamine H1; kappa opioid; muscarinic acetylcholine; and serotonin 5-HT2.
Studies have failed to detect an effect of lamotrigine on dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium
channels. It had weak effects at sigma opioid receptors (IC50 = 145 μM). Lamotrigine did not
inhibit the uptake of norepinephrine, dopamine, or serotonin, (IC50>200 μM) when tested in rat
synaptosomes and/or human platelets in vitro
Posted by polarbear206 on February 15, 2007, at 22:42:01
In reply to Lamotrigine info requested, posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 13:58:51
> I have a feeling my psychiatrist may want to give lamictal a try.
>
> I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me any decent sourced information about this drug?
>
> Can anyone compare it to lithium or valproate in terms of side effcts, esp cognative?
>
> Thanks, all information appreciated.
>
> Linkadge
>
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>
> FAQ link on Lamictal
>
>
www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
Posted by rina on February 16, 2007, at 13:52:40
In reply to Lamotrigine info requested, posted by linkadge on February 15, 2007, at 13:58:51
> I have a feeling my psychiatrist may want to give lamictal a try.
>
> I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me any decent sourced information about this drug?
>
> Can anyone compare it to lithium or valproate in terms of side effcts, esp cognative?
>
> Thanks, all information appreciated.
>
> LinkadgeI've been on lamictal for two years now. In the beginning it worked like a charm in reference to mood stabilization. Now it's ran it's cource for me, which I've heard happens. Good Luck and I wish you the best.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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This is the end of the thread.
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