lamotrigine wean

[ccnm4]

A quick question. My son is weaning off Lamotrigine or lamictal. He was on it for 3 weeks and had an extreme hypomanic reaction, when he went up to 50 mg, so the Doctors are weaning him off of it over 2 weeks. He went down from 50 mg to 25 mg and has been there for one week. Here comes the question..my regular doctor and pharmacist told me for the second week (which he starts tomorrow) to taper him down to 12.5 mg for the last week as this would be easier on his system. But the neurologist (who I don't really like much) said to leave him on 25 mg for the 2 week wean and then take him off. Any answers? I just want what is best for my 13 year old. Thanks. The website for the medicine says discontinue over at least a two week period of 50% a week. But I am assuming this information is for someone who has been on it for a while.

 

[epileric]

Personally I've always thought that the best way to wean off of an anti-epileptic drug is the slowest.

Anything too fast can trigger more seizures.

 

[momof3boys]

I was on Lamictal for 16 days and had an allergic reaction to it. I couldnt wean off of it due to how severe my allergic reaction was, so I just had to stop it. That was 3 days ago. Ive had no problems since "knock on wood".

Ive heard its best to wean off any anti- seizure drug as slow as possible, if you dont have any reason to come off of it quickly at the time.

 

[Nakamova]

I agree with Eric -- slower, at smaller increments can't hurt. He might be okay going from 25mg to zero, but it won't hurt to go from 25mg to 12.5mg to zero, and might help.