Switching from Tegretol to Lamictal

[Annie4637]

Hello everyone,

I recently went to my neurologist for my yearly examination and I had some labs done. I am currently taking Tegretol XR 500 mg 2 x daily. When my doctor took my labs he found out that my liver enzymes were increased and as a result he said that he wanted to switch my medication from Tegretol to Lamictal 100 mg twice a day eventually. I was wondering if anyone else had done this because of inreased liver ezymes and what was their experience like. So far my seizures have been very well controlled under the Tegretol but I've read where people have had relapses because of switching to Lamictal. Any input on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

[Bernard]

Hi Annie, welcome to the forum.

I don't know anything about switching from Tegretol to Lamictal, and in general I wouldn't think switching meds when the one you are using is working is a good thing, however, if your liver is in trouble, you need to take care of it. It won't matter much what meds (or no meds) you take if your liver gives out. Just my opinion...

[HELP4U]

I did the above not because of a liver issue but because of lack of control by the Tegretol. However, I had to switch from Dilantin (which I liked for various reasons) to Tegretol due to lack of complete control, with a resultant need for add'l Dilantin and that is the point where the Neruo said: No more Dilantin. It's becoming Toxic and your liver will be affected.

Your liver CANNOT BE REPLACED. Have the meds & liver issues tested regularly. If you have control and your liver and meds levels are good, you should have no problems - BUT DON'T STOP HAVING THE LEVELS CHECKED. (I also take a Sodium/Potassium supplement [Thermo Tabs] to replace sodium flushed out of the body by the anti-epileptic drug's I take: lack of Sodium will cause seizures.)

I had to add Tri-leptal to the Lamactil due to lack of control by the Lamactil alone.

That still didn't work in terms of control, so I added Tranxene and this approach seems to be working almost all the time (except for a rcent trauma (falling off a brick staircase and tearing half the connective tissue in one arm: OUCH! No sleep for a week. A seizure ensued.)

This combo of meds has me in Outer Space sometimes, but perhaps that's the price I have to pay. (I also have many of the side effects that the contraindications on the med instructions said might accomany these meds, such as weight gain, intermittent loss of cognitive functioning, intermittent short term loss, thinning of hair, blahblahblah. My biggest problem is balance: BE CAREFUL whenever you switch for as long as you notice anything out of the ordiinary and mention it to your neurologist UNTIL you're satisfied that you know all you need to know about any issues.

I suggest that you adapt to your issues since they aren't going to adapt to you. (Yes, this might mean a change in meds or a change in docs some day in the future. Perhaps not. I hope the latter since a new-to-you neurologist will have to "learn you and your actions/reactions" before improving his/her ability to control your meds. NOt fun: sorry.

Don't know if this helps, but you have to take care of your internal organs
as well as your meds.

[kittykat2009]

hi Annie, im not sure about lactimal, but im currently on tegretrol retard 880mg at present, and get very zombie fied on this!!
as for liver ezymes mine are slightly high!! so they are doing regular blood tests to keep an eye on me!! im not being put on lactimal though but thinking of putting me on lamotrigine insted, as yet being on tegrtrol retard my fits are not fully controlled either!!
but i hope all works out for you
take care for now from kitty

[Bernard]

KK, Lamictal is a brand name for Lamotrigine. They are the same thing.

[merlotte]

hi friends... i was at the doctor the other day when i heard him prescribe someone with Zarontin(ethosuximide)....well, that made methink if i knew this medication but evades me. I was wondering what is it for...i read a little bit about it here-http://www.drugdelivery.ca/s3807-s-ZARONTIN.aspx and there are still some dark spots that i dnt understand...
what do you think about it?

[mariaine22]

Hey ive never been on tergretol, i was put on lamictal right away since i got diagnosed with epilepsy and let me tell you it just made everything worse. I started having grand mal seizures every day! and the f$#* doc woudl keeping increasing my dose which of course wouldn't help! so i switched doc's and meds...

[Bernard]

Good for you Mariaine, some docs just don't listen to their patients very well. Everyone reacts to anti-epileptic drugs differently and it is possible for them to increase seizure activity rather than decrease. It's a bunch of trial and error to see if there is a drug or drug coctail that gives you an acceptable balance of seizure control versus side effects.