Lamictal - how high a dose?

[BlueCat]

Hi Janus

I did some reasearch on the generic (Lamotrigine) Lamictal and it was not positive. Over 20 companys make it so there is to many variations. I prefer the real meal deal.
Doug

I did great on brand Lamictal for 7 years, they put me on generic after which I had two sz and finally got them to put me back on brand. I agree - real is better

 

[malibu1966]

Yes I also have been seizure free for three months now. I am at 100mg twice a day, with Keppra 500mg twice a day. The oras/smells have decreased 95 percent. The only trigger is when something really stresses me out. Again the Lamictal non generic is the only way to go. There are to many fillers in the generic brand.

 

[Minkous]

After having 4 grand mal's and 14 absum seizures this past week or so, they bumped my lamictal dosage up 100mg a day. Just so happen that the same day I started getting a face twitch when I would be out in the sun and it's 3 days later and the twitching has really increased. Do y'all think this is most likely a side effect of the lamictal or from the seizures? Thanks for your help I'm new to this whole thing

 

[Janus]

Hi, I just got bumped up to 150 mg twice a day and he added a 500 keppra in the evening. It is just a safety trial after i had several T/C's and a handful of Absence seizures in two weeks. Shit and i started driving recently because i thought, hey its been a while, I think i am free from them. So no more driving and higher meds trials for me

 

[malibu1966]

I don't think its a side effect from the medication. I have had a twitch one my left side for years, but mainly when I have had lack of sleep. This was way before I started my Lamictal or having seizures.

 

[denverboz]

. hey janus, don't feel too bad about not driving still better than getting in an accident. I wrecked my truck on I-25 here in Denver, x-mas '99, still glad didn't hurt/kill anyone. It was a t/c like all of mine have been. Was on phenytoin for a number of years, till I went toxic on it last summer. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. I was like a drunken sailor. Switched to lamictal/lamotrigine, worked for a couple months, than the t/c's started again, they upped my meds, but really didn't help too much, in fact after a short period they started again and much more frequently. Finally in mid Dec. last year they added levitracetam/keppra to my meds, 500 mg, twice a day, besides the 200 mgs of lamictal twice a day. What was really stupid on my part, was being a bit weary about the Keppra, because of things I had read here, I was putting off starting on it. Finally I made the decision to go ahead and start on it, and right before I was gonna start taking it, had another t/c. What a dumbass I felt like. Anyway, after having seizures every two months on a regular basis for number of year, and then having had about 8 in a two and a half month period end of last year, I have been seizure free for 5 1/2 months now since adding the Keppra to my lamictal meds. My gf I live with is quite happy about this,as it really put her through hell. There was a period, about 6 years ago, where I was seizure free for 21 months. So honestly, not really sure I would ever want to drive again. It is easier for me, living in a city with a fairly good transit system, and my gf does have a vehicle, but I do miss the freedom it gives one. But from everything I've read most of these AED's tend to lose their efficacy over time. Sucks to think about. But it's worse to think about being seizure free for a year and and a half, than driving and getting in an accident. I still thank God I didn't hurt/kill anyone. So I don't really see myself driving on a regular basis ever again. Que sera, sera, it's all good. Hope you're in a situation where driving isn't an absolute necessity. Stay safe bro!

 

[jenagade]

I'm currently transitioning on to lamotrigine from carbamazapine (both brand) and have just hit 200mg a day, no noticeable side effects, but also no noticeable improvement yet. I've been on it, increasing in 50mg doses, for about 3 months now.

Its interesting to see what people have been saying about generic vs brand. I had a discussion about this with my neurologist when he started me on lamotrigine because he said to check every time I picked up a prescription that it was Lamactal and not generic. The reason for this being that generics can differ from brand by up to 30% (from memory that was based on the amount of active ingredient) which I was not aware of at all.

 

[malibu1966]

Jenagade,
I totaly agree on the non generic. Doing a little reasearch a lot of fillers ars used. So you really dont know what your getting with a generic brand. I ensure my pharmacy does not sustitute and I get Lamictal every time. Ive been seizure free for 4 months now on a 100 mg dose twice a day with Keppra 500 mg twice a day.

 

[jenagade]

One thing I'm curious about with Lamactal, is it true that it causes vomiting if you take it without food? I'm on it but I've always taken it with food because I'm too scared to find out if that's true or not.

 

[MAB]

One thing I'm curious about with Lamactal, is it true that it causes vomiting if you take it without food? I'm on it but I've always taken it with food because I'm too scared to find out if that's true or not.

i haven't noticed that

 

[denverboz]

I've been on lamotrigine (200mg twice a day) and Levetiracetam (500mg twice day), for close to 6 mts. now. The last seizure I had was the day before I started taking the Levetriracetam in addition to my already prescribed lamotrigine.

 

[malibu1966]

I take mine around 9:30 am then run on the treadmill for 30 to 35 minutes. Take a break for 10 minutes then usually have breakfast/lunch around 11:30. Supper is around 4:30 to 5. The I take my Lamictal at 9:30 or when I remember sometimes just before bed. So myself I cant say that taking without food would make you vomit. Just my opinion, others may have experienced different situations.

 

[jenagade]

Thanks good to know

 

[Janus]

I have worked up to Lamotrigine 150 2 X day and Levetiracetam ( am slowly tapering off of ) to 500 at night only. No vomiting and never heard of this as a result of meds. I take my morning meds alone and have coffee only after that for a few hours. never had stomach issues.

 

[Bobbi]

I have only been on Lamictal for about 7 weeks - started at 25mg now at 100. I am also on Keppra 2000 mg/day - was 3000 mg/day before lamictal. But the lamictal I think is causing side effects - my right side of my neck hurts and I have trouble swallowing - I have a call into my doctor this am.

 

[Autumn Breeze]

I mostly take mine at night. Never had an issue with vomiting

sent from my Nexus One...typos are inevitable

 

[Screamy]

I was taking 500mg daily now I am down to 50mg

 

[alivenwell]

I also only do Brand; no Generics. It is incredibly costly without the right insurance. I found a great plan in February this year and it's a great financial help.
There is just way way too much of a variation between brand and generic medications. It does disturb me that I'm probably paying for one of thousands of TV ads on other meds; or somebody's life of luxury at my expense.

 

[1dayatatime]

Becareful with Lamictal or any other meds. Side effects can sneak up on you over time. When I first started it, it was great. Finally after countless other drugs (i know what a lab rat feels like now) I found a med that worked and had minimal side effects for the most part, the ones I had were easy to deal with.
I've learned the hard way, everyone's body chemistry changes over time and it can affect how we react to meds, even if you've been on them for a long time. The meds may still work but the sneaky side effects are a b***h.

Do your own research on meds, side effects. The docs don't tell you everything, mine didn't anyway.

I have found an upside to not driving, good way to save $$$$$! I always try to look at the cup half full.

 

[alivenwell]

It is wise to look to see if the medications we take conflict with each other. I found out that the two meds that I take can counteract with each other, and eliminating one may make the better medication work. I can cut down on costly meds.
Some herbs conflict with epilepsy as well. We have a room full of information on various supplements and herbs.