Lamotrigine or lamictal?

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Claire7

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I have been taking lamotrigine since the end of September. I have just picked up my new prescription and the box says lamictal. What is the difference if any? They look slightly different and i have read stories on here of people having problems with switching brands. I'm lucky enough not to have had any horrible side effects with lamotrigine and I really don't want this to change!

Any thoughts or personal experiences will be greatly appreciated!!!!
 
Lamotrigine is the generic form of lamictal, I think apart maybe a few ingrediants they are effectively the same thing. I personally haven't had any real problems with either, but I know some people have. It's different for everybody some people have side affects, some people don't.
 
My neurologist told me that with the generic form of Lamictal, pharmacies will get different generic brands from time to time, so there's no guarantee that you are always getting the same generic Lamotrigine pill. If you have had this experience before without issue, then who knows--you may not have an issue with Lamictal either. I didn't have a problem with it.

I have had a couple of different kinds of Lamotrigine, one looks like a tiny white circle with a score mark down the middle, and the other looks like a pinkish colored pentagon with a score mark down the middle. Lamictal XR looked way different--each of the different milligram amounts had a different color, and they had a coating for the extended release feature.
 
Thanks so much for the reassurance! I have just been up to the pharmacy and he pretty much said the same thing. I am taking 100mg x 2 a day an he also told me I could increase this if I wanted to?! It's really weird that he said this as he doesn't know me and I have only had my 2nd seizure 4 years after the first with no meds in between. I havent been given a diagnosis but It was my choice to start on meds as I'm such a worrier! I'm now worrying now that he thinks my dose isn't high enough!!!
 
That's a weird thing for a pharmacist to tell you. I mean it's one thing if it's an as-needed pill or something, but maintenance drugs should be taken as directed by your doctor, IMO.
 
just a quick plea, has anyone experienced episodes of suicidal thoghts or psychotic urges on lamotrigine. I am completely terrified as i cannot identify any other cause and have never had anything even remotely similar happen to me. There does seem to be a link between the episodes and the time remaining between doses. Help please as it is getting so bad i am thinking of the nearest mental hospital. I am metally sound at all other times and the symptoms go in a second leaving me drained and very emotional but relieved that they have ended
 
Hi.. I was on lamotrigine for a few days and I experienced psychotic urges and suicidal thoughts. I stopped the medication immediately - I was unwell for months, lamotrigine thought to be the trigger. I was switched to tegretol and quitiapine - things improved. :)
 
hazel said:
just a quick plea, has anyone experienced episodes of suicidal thoghts or psychotic urges on lamotrigine. I am completely terrified as i cannot identify any other cause and have never had anything even remotely similar happen to me. There does seem to be a link between the episodes and the time remaining between doses. Help please as it is getting so bad i am thinking of the nearest mental hospital. I am metally sound at all other times and the symptoms go in a second leaving me drained and very emotional but relieved that they have ended
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Hi, not me personally, but yes.

Call your provider. Leave an after hours message or get direct hold of him. If you can't, DO go to the hospital. Don't put it off. You are too precious.
 
Hazel,

I just got on it myself, and it is reported as a side effect, so you should contact your doctor.

toro
 
Ive been on lamictal lamotrigine for 12 years and thankfully im ok on it. I go to my local chemist and they give me lamictal but if they run out then they give me another brand of lamotrigine. When they first gave me another brand I asked them why , they said its the same just different brand name.
 
Hi, thanks all. I am worried because i am newly on lamotrigine. It is going fine as i increase very slowly, now up to 50mg twice a day, every 2 weeks increase 25mgs. Supposed to go up to 200mgs and only then stop keppra. I have clinical depression as well but another med for that and now bad feelings at all so far. Thanks again for all your info everyone!
 
nicholas:) said:
Hi.. I was on lamotrigine for a few days and I experienced psychotic urges and suicidal thoughts. I stopped the medication immediately - I was unwell for months, lamotrigine thought to be the trigger. I was switched to tegretol and quitiapine - things improved. :)
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Now I see the reason of suicidal and psychotic thoughts/urges.
I used lamictal though.
Thank you for posting this!!! :woot:
 
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