Depression with Lamictal?

[irish71]

Hi,

I've been on Lamictal (Lamotrigine generic, usually) for about 5 years and I'm now up to 400 mg/day. Also, I've been on Zonegran (Zonisamide) 200 mg/day for about 4 years.

A couple of weeks ago, they switched me to Lamictal Extended Release (XR) which apparently is a fairly new drug. Since then, I've been feeling very depressed, tired, and worthless to others. Also I never really want to go out with my friends like I used to.

Anyone else experiencing this?

[Nakamova]

For me, I experienced depression on Zonegran (which I was on before) but not on Lamictal (which I'm on now).

But I've read of folks who were okay on one dose of Lamictal, and then started experiencing depression when the dosage was raised. This may well be what is happening to you. The time-release of the XR may not be right for your metabolism. Definitely contact your neurologist right away to let him/her know how you are feeling.

[Endless]

Hi, Irish.

I'm on lamictal. I don't feel depressed on the stuff. It kinda feels like I'm on speed. Now Topamax and Trileptal, I was definitely depressed.

The point is that everyone reacts to each drug differently. Depression is a possible side effect of Lamictal. Please do tell you doc. He may either back down your dosage or put you on something else.

[Minkels]

Lamictal XR has worked really well as far as controlling my seizures and started working well at around 100 mg. Unfortunately I am still having the simple partials (not a big deal to me) but my neurologist thinks they are and recently upped the dose to 200 mg.

I was very moody and depressed the first two weeks after the dose increase and had a constant, nagging headache. I'm into week 4 of 200 mg of Lamictal XR and the moodiness is much better...now if I could only get rid of this headache I would be doing great. I guess what makes it so funny is that I am on 200 mg a day of Topamax which is supposed to be great for headaches...would HATE to see what kind of headache I would have if I weren't on the Topamax.

If you continue to feel this way on the Lamictal XR, definitely call your doctor and let him/her know about the side effects your are experiencing. Lamictal XR is a relatively new drug, and it either seems to amp people up (like Endless) or make people kind of tired, down and sluggish with each dose increase (like me).

Everyone DOES react differently to these medications; Topamax actually put me in a better mood, and Keppra made me more easy going, which tend to be the opposite of the side effects most people have on these two drugs...go figure.

I hope you feel better, and hope that you can get your meds sorted out.

Just curious--any particular reason why your doctor switched you from regular lamictal to Lamictal XR?

[mihaela]

I was hyperactive, so lamotrigine little slow down me and now I am finaly normal (and not hyperactive)