Higher Dosage Lamictal Side Effects

[Hope]

Hi! I have been taking generic Lamictal for about two or three months, starting at 25mg and am now up to 200mg. When I increased dosage I had very bad headaches, but they went away after a few days. Effects that have lasted the whole time have been being extremely tired, but with insomnia (which I already had). Now that I am up to 200mg I am constantly thirsty, am either extremely happy or very annoyed/mad. Being constantly thirsty makes me use the restroom at least 3-5 times an hour because I don't stop drinking water...which is very frustrating. At 100mg I felt mostly fine, though. Have any of you had experinces like this? I'm thinking maybe my dosage is too high? But I don't want to do anything until I see my doctor again.

I'm sorry this was so long to get a small point across. But, thanks!

[Mary]

I felt good on 100mg, too. Was put up to 200 and started having a lot of problems. My hair was falling out, memory was terrible, and having problems with bladder (don't know for sure if it is related). The thirst is awful. Weaned myself off of it but started to have mood swings again. Now I am back on 25mg (having to increase gradually). I am scared of the side affects.

[dan2005]

My friend had a really depressed night about two days ago and tool approx. 1100 milligrams of Lamictal. He says he feels weird still. How long will he have this reaction?

[David-J2]

Starter kit 2/5/09. Felt nothing! Now up to 200mg a day....never felt better in my life. Sorry, it's works for me....so far!

[Minah]

My arms are hard to lift. I can't remember anything. I have black outs, I don't know how I get from pont a to point b. It's hard to breath. This all started after 200mg. I even lost my speech. I forgot how to say things.

[JCF Charlotte NC]

The only problem that I have had is I have a bad rash on my arms and legs. This came about when I increased my dosage to 200 mg. Now that I have been on this dosage for a month or so it is getting better. The generic is working great for me and I feel the best I have in quite awhile.

[Sue]

I take 400 mg a day, and the thirst is absolutely horrible. But the Lamictal works for me, and that's the only significant side effect I have, so I'm dealing. If anyone knows how to fix the thirst though, please please share!

[slehr]

I already posted this on another comment area on this forum and I wish I could tell you the whole story but after 4.5 years on Lamictal I was switched "accidentally" to the generic Lamotrigine and I experienced something I would like to save anyone else from.
After 90 days of things I did not attribute to the switch I found out that for 90 days I had been suffering from every symptom of a TOXIC overdose of Lamotrigine. From my research with Pharmacists, Psychopharmacologist and other resources I discovered that the generic of a drug by law can be +/- a certain percent of the Brand Name. It is believed that it could be up to 20% different...which means that I had immediately gone from a dose of 275mg - raised to 300mg of what was to be Lamictal to an equivalent of about 360mg - apparently too high for me to tolerate.
After every symptom - minus the penile disfunction (I am 38 year old female)- including blood in stool, cognitive impairment, rash, etc TOXICITY was finally diagnosed.
Recovering after returning to Lamictal and feel like old self.
This is only my story but there are many others like it if you search the internet. Coincidence?
Best wishes.

[ileene lazar]

slehr wrote:

I already posted this on another comment area on this forum and I wish I could tell you the whole story but after 4.5 years on Lamictal I was switched "accidentally" to the generic Lamotrigine and I experienced something I would like to save anyone else from.
After 90 days of things I did not attribute to the switch I found out that for 90 days I had been suffering from every symptom of a TOXIC overdose of Lamotrigine. From my research with Pharmacists, Psychopharmacologist and other resources I discovered that the generic of a drug by law can be +/- a certain percent of the Brand Name. It is believed that it could be up to 20% different...which means that I had immediately gone from a dose of 275mg - raised to 300mg of what was to be Lamictal to an equivalent of about 360mg - apparently too high for me to tolerate.
After every symptom - minus the penile disfunction (I am 38 year old female)- including blood in stool, cognitive impairment, rash, etc TOXICITY was finally diagnosed.
Recovering after returning to Lamictal and feel like old self.
This is only my story but there are many others like it if you search the internet. Coincidence?
Best wishes.

Thank you for this info. My daughter is on Lamictal and I was thinking about switching to generic. I have always been concerned about generics just for this reason, however, every pharmacist I have ever spoken to about this has assured me that brand and generic have the same exact make up. Obviously not. Again, thank you.

[ileene lazar]

Thank you for this info. My daughter is on Lamictal and I was thinking about switching to generic. I have always been concerned about generics just for this reason, however,every pharmacist I have ever spoken to about this has assued me that brand and generic have the same exact make up. Obviously not. Again, thank you.

[merry]

I just started Lamictal one week now. I started to feel much better after 4 days. I wake up feeling happy (been a long time ) but I am starting to get irritated and angry for the smallest reasons. I am only taking 25mg. After reading your post, I am getting nervous....but I will continue taking and monitor my progress.

[Donna]

I developed SJS from Lamictal(generic) after 3 weeks. At 75mg I had to go to 2 ER rooms. I developed burn huge lesions on my chest arms back and have scarred from them. I have chronic aches and pains in my legs and arms. I still itch, break out in rashes and my arms burn. This has been going on since 3/21. I stopped Lamictal and feel that it has ruined my life, I am NOT the same person Iused to be. Rather now, I constantly itch/burn am scarred and my face is always RED. This drug should be taken off the market IMO. No one ever explained the implications of SJS which is a black box warning for this drug.

[jenna]

Hello,

I've been scouring the web for a possible connection between the bladder problems i've been having and lamotrigine, but haven't seen anything listed in the side effects. I'm curious if any of you have had any kidney/bladder related side effects? I haven't had too many issues, aside from a mild rash from time to time, extreme thirst, and horrible headaches that have lasted for a few days both times i've increased my dose, but shortly after i increased to 100 mgs, i got what i thought was a uti(test came back neg). i had bladder discomfort, "strong-smelling" urine and the amount of water i drink(tons! since i'm always thirsty) doesn't seem to have anything to do with how much i'm going. i can put away 5 glasses of water and pee only a 1/2 cup's worth, and it's never clear anymore. The symptoms also seem to come and go. I'll go from feeling ok one minute to feeling a burning urgency to urinate the next. my psych(who likes talking more than he likes listening) brushed me off when i called him about it, but i swear it has to do w/the lamotrigine. has anyone had any similar experiences, or have any info that could help me? i feel like i'm going crazy and my fiance's sick of hearing me ramble on about my pee.

Thanks!(and sorry for writing so much):)

[jenna]

one more thing! I forgot to mention the color. it ranges from a burnt orange to a sunny yellow(just slightly lighter than the color it is when i take vitamin b).
i'm so sorry to make all of you read about my pee, but i swear my kidneys are on strike and and i'm hoping someone else out there knows what i'm talking about.

[merry]

jenna wrote:

one more thing! I forgot to mention the color. it ranges from a burnt orange to a sunny yellow(just slightly lighter than the color it is when i take vitamin b).
i'm so sorry to make all of you read about my pee, but i swear my kidneys are on strike and and i'm hoping someone else out there knows what i'm talking about.

I found this article on this website, and I found out there are quite a few websites on the side effect of this drug. It states that dark urine; difficult or painful urination is considered a severe reaction. You did'nt state that it was painful...just darker and the frequency is pretty bad. If it is affecting you this severely and your P-Doc brushes you off (most tend to be jerks and they never listen to you..I know I have seen many different ones...and good p-docs are hard to find)Maybe you should contact your regular doctor and state your concerns. Or go to the link and print out the side eefects and show it to your p-doc and maybe he can swich you to something else. Good luck. merry
www.drugs.com
Possible side effects of Lamictal :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred or double vision; constipation; decreased coordination; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; painful menstrual periods; runny or stuffy nose; stomach upset or pain; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unexplained hoarseness); absent menstrual period; calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; dark urine; difficult or painful urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, behavior changes); new or worsening seizures; pale stools; reddened, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; severe muscle pain or tenderness; severe or persistent stomach pain; shortness of breath; sores in the mouth or around the eyes; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen lymph glands; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness or tiredness; vaginal itching or discharge; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch .

[mark]

I HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR A YEAR. HAD A SEIZER IN MY SLEEP AND SCARED THE HELL OUT OF MY WIFE AND KIDS. I AM 52 YRS. OLD. NEVER HAD A SEIZEUR IN MY LIFE UNTIL I TRIED TO WEEN OFF OF THIS DRUG. I HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY IN 2005. NEVER FELT BETTER UNTIL THIS STUPID PILL. I AM ATHLETE, WEIGHT LIFTER, MOTERCYCLE RIDER, SNOW SKIER.I WAS TOLD AFTER THE OPERATION OF THE HEART THAT SEEING A NUEROLIGST IS MANDATORY.WELL HE SAID MY BRAIN WAS FIRING A LITTLE FUNNY SO WE STARTED TAKING THIS. ALSO TOLD ME BRAIN FIRING IS LIKE BLOD PRESSURE. SOMETIMES IT'S HIGH SOMETIMES IT IS NOT. I HAVE EVERY SYPTOM YOU CAN THINK OF ACCEPT SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. I LOVE LIFE.WELL IT DOESN.T WORK FOR ME. I WOULD ADVISE PEOPLE TO GO TO MANUFACTURES WEB SITE AND READ THE CLINACAL TRAILS. PLUS THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT YOUR DOCTOR WON'T TELL YOU. REMEMBER THAT THE DRUG BUSINESS IS A MILLON DOLLAR BUSNESS.DOCTORS GET SOME NICE BENAFITS SUBSCRIBING THERE DRUGS.ANYWAY SO MUCH FOR TRUSTING PEOPLE. TRUST YOURSELF.

[Lar]

I've just started taking Lamictal, and recently uped my dose to 75mg. I'm taking it for mood stablitly for my MS. I've noticed all of a sudden, my knees are hurting when i try to walk, my elbows are stiff and hurt when i move and my one finger is swollen for no good reason (which i find very odd that it's only one finger and can't for the life of me think what's wrong with it and i woke up one morning and had a hard time removing a ring.) After reading about the possible side affects, i think the dose might be too high for me to live on. OH, and i also apparently snap easier than i use to, totally the wrong direction i wanted my mood to go in. but what i really wanted to say was thank you for everyone posting. it's been a help!

[ERice]

I am not sure if it is the Lamictal , but I am on 50mg. and recently I am bruising for no reason, and I have severe vaginal burning and itching which extends to my rectum. I went to my MD today, she is not sure, took cultures but I have not heard anything from her. Also, my vision seems to be blurred when I am looking at things far, like the TV. I am on it for my bi-polar. I was hoping it would be great, but now I am not so sure. I am also gaining weight, and haven't changed my diet, Some help with this would be great!

[h8migraines]

Did your doctor ever mention to you a potentially dangerous rash one can get from Lamictal? I beleive it is called a "Stevens-Johnson" rash. You should talk with your doc.

[Brent]

I have been taking Lamictal for about 8 years now. I take it due to Grand Mall seizure. I take 450mg per day. I had tried other seizure meds and they made me feel like I had a hangover. The Lamictal was the best for me. However, I do feel tired most of the time. The important thing is, no seizures.
QUESTION: When I pick up my prescriptions it shows a one months supply at $625. Now my insurance company switched me to a generic brand. It's not the same. It's too inconsistant. I see on an add on this website for .23 per tab. Anyone know why we get ripped off?
[e-mail]