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Lamotrigine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Brand names: Lamictal, Lamictal XR, Lamictal ODT, Subvenite, Lamictal CD

Lamotrigine has an average rating of 7.8 out of 10 from a total of 1,841 reviews on Drugs.com. 73% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 15% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Lamotrigine

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Roe...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 12, 2018

For Anxiety "As a MH clinician and anxiety sufferer with co-morbid depression, I can assuredly say that if SSRI's failed you, you *need* to try lamotrigine. Buspirone gave me that common 'weird' feeling. And while I don't have bipolar, I got hypomanic symptoms and seriously worsened depression/anxiety with SSRI's (this is widely unknown but a common occurrence). After confirming I have a gene that causes the latter, I spoke with my amazing prescriber about giving this a go. Since then, my world has changed for the better. I'm at a higher dose so I often feel a little lethargic, but I'll take that side-effect over SSRI's many terrible ones any day. Lamotrigine completely changed my world - highly recommended. I really do suggest taking a genetics test as well. You very well could come up with the same result."

9 / 10
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  • Pum...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 10, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have suffered for more than 20 years with one diagnosis or another, mainly bipolar and depression. I've had racing thoughts for many years, and in the past few years, I had difficulty remembering things. I told the doctor it was during times of stress. I have a very stressful job. I have past traumas and I asked if he thought I had PTSD. He disregarded what I said and said I have a lot of anxiety and put me on anti-anxiety meds. I have been on every med for the past twenty-five years and suffered through it all. I was taking lithium, Seroquel, and an antidepressant for the past ten years until the doctor finally suggested Lamictal. I have taken 25mg for about 2 weeks and feel great - no more racing thoughts, I can make decisions, don't feel confused, and can remember things. My thinking is so much more clear, I feel sad I suffered so long. This medicine needs to be labeled for PTSD."

10 / 10
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  • lae...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I just started taking Lamictal about 2 weeks ago. I have severe anxiety disorder. I was prescribed this medication to help as a mood stabilizer. As far as that goes, it has helped quiet my mind, but I have noticed it gives me anxiety attacks mostly after I eat, and fluttering in my heart when I lay down at night, as well as shaky vision at times. I am supposed to move up to 100 mg this coming week as I started 2 weeks ago on 50 mg. It has helped stabilize my thoughts, but I still have bad anxiety on it, so I am not sure if I will stick with it or not. I hope this helps someone."

5 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Fra...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 19, 2021

For Depression "I suffer from depression and severe anxiety. I have tried many antidepressants, none of which worked. I have been on Venlafaxine and Mirtazapine to no avail. Psychiatrist then recommended adding Lamotrigine to those two as a last resort before Lithium. No side effects noted and raging hunger has gone. Almost from Day 1, I started feeling a bit better. Now, 3 months down the line taking 50 mg a day, I feel like my old self. Anxiety is virtually gone, and I enjoy my life after months of misery. It has worked for me. I hope it works for you."

10 / 10
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  • Mbl...
  • November 13, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This drug has probably saved my life. I feel as though the cloud has moved from my eyes and I'm finally myself again, if not better. I'm in great moods often versus just making it day to day. After trying antidepressants and other things, I can absolutely say this has been the best thing I've ever come across for actually helping my triggers and anger. I'd like to know what it actually does scientifically, but it feels like it almost gives me time to think before snapping. I'm still not 100%, but even my partner, friends, and work have noticed a difference in myself. I'm proud of myself for not giving up on myself, glad I never went through with some very disturbing thoughts. I'm lucky to be here and very excited about my future. Best of luck."

9 / 10
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  • Sha...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 26, 2013

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed bipolar after suffering a mental breakdown in college, which left me institutionalized for 2 weeks. Before my therapist prescribed me Lamictal (100mg) and Klonopin (0.5mg), I was a total mess. Lamictal truly saved my life. It helps me act less irrationally and impulsively, hold a job for longer than 6 months, maintain healthy relationships with loved ones. I feel more focused and driven. I have had no negative side effects."

10 / 10
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  • Ali...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 20, 2018

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This med saved my life. I’m on Lexapro for depression/anxiety, Adderall for ADHD, and Wellbutrin XL for depression. But my main problem was my borderline personality disorder. I was insane. Crazy. A monster. Now I can’t even fathom my old self. I would be dead if it wasn’t for this medicine. It’s the only thing that quieted the voices."

10 / 10
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  • Ama...
  • May 15, 2013

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 seven years ago in college. I refused treatment, and my relationship with my husband started to deteriorate. I started Lamictal a year ago and have totally returned to my old self. I am happy, calm, rational, and I found the motivation to lose fifty pounds. The only downfall is I kind of miss the ability to process information at a very rapid rate, but I gladly trade it for a great relationship with my husband and child."

10 / 10
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  • 10s...
  • December 17, 2020

For Anxiety "Truly life changing! I started taking lamotrigine when I had intense anxiety and some depression. After around a month, I started feeling more moments of happiness, and now almost two years down the line, I feel like I am living a different life! Not everything is perfect of course, and I still have anxiety, but it is not a crushing feeling of doom. I look forward to things in life again! I would recommend trying it to anyone who has tried multiple medications and hasn’t found something that helped. Just be careful starting it and make sure to watch out for the rash! Odds are you will be totally fine, I had zero side effects."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • June 27, 2014

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I'm 54 years old now, and I've struggled most of my life with severe depression and anxiety. Many issues in my life would be intense and just make me so upset. Taking this Lamictal now for 2 months at 200mg has so much stabilized my mood. I've been so much more settled and handling situations more calmly. A great medicine."

10 / 10
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  • Dst...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 13, 2016

For Anxiety "I have Bipolar 1 along with some horrible, horrible anxiety. Started taking Lamictal a few months ago and I'm now on 200mg. I haven't felt this stable in many, many, many years. My anxiety has pretty much disappeared, it feels so strange living a normal life again. I'm so happy. Please give it a go :-)"

10 / 10
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  • Rai...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • February 10, 2021

For Anxiety "I have had excellent results with this medication. I have paralyzing anxiety related to PTSD. I have not had any side effects. I know it works because I chose to lower my dosage and at a certain level the anxiety was unbearable and slightly increased the dosing, and I had perfect control over my anxiety again. It works."

10 / 10
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  • Aut...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 18, 2019

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Lamictal for about nine months now. It is literally the THE BEST BIPOLAR MEDICATION I have come across. Right before going on Lamictal, I was on the Abilify injection, and although it kept me stable, it gave me a horrible side effect called Tardive Dyskinesia, which for me showed up as uncontrollable mouth movements. My doctor recommended Lamictal after telling him my concern with the Tardive Dyskinesia. He first kept me on the Abilify and started on low dosages of Lamictal so that I can slowly ease into the new drug. If I remember correctly, he started me on 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 100mg, then finally 200mg, which is what I am on now. I believe I have been on 200mg since about February of 2019. I don’t feel any weight gain, which I was very afraid of, although I don’t think it is one of the side effects of the drug. Please, please consider this drug for stabilizing your mood for bipolar, you won’t regret it! :)"

10 / 10
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  • Cra...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 12, 2013

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "This is the best psych med option I've ever had. Over a six-year period, I had been prescribed a myriad of medicines for bipolar mania and depression, including: Abilify, Wellbutrin, Zyprexa, Celexa, Prozac, Lithium, Geodon, and Tegretol. Lamictal has been a Godsend. Lamictal has not been associated with weight gain nor diabetes (I have type 2, but was diagnosed prior to my prescription). All psych medicines have side effects, and finding the most benign one can be maddening, and even life-threatening, in my case. Give this one, at least a shot."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 8, 2012

For Depression "This has been my savior, no longer flying off the handle at people, and my children not being afraid of me. I take this for several things migraines, anxiety, and depression. I use this along with Zoloft and amitriptyline for sleep."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 31, 2015

For Depression "The first day of taking (50 mg) I feel better than I have in YEARS! I have suffered with depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and BPD (a mess, I know). I have been on every antidepressant and anti-anxiety med over the past 10 years, and I have to say it has done wonders! Looking forward to many more good days."

8 / 10
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  • Bea...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 21, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have only been taking this medicine for a week, but I am 100% a totally different person! My husband has been as patient with me as humanly possible, but I could see that my constant anxiety, depression, and crazy up all night crying feeling like I was a person that couldn't be loved by anyone, begging him to love me (he would just sit there and say I do love you baby with all my heart) but it was pushing him further and further away. I am 23 and have been in emotional and mental hell since I can remember with sick and demented dreams. I have tried several different meds: Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Seroquel XR, Xanax, Zoloft. I'm now on Celexa and Lamictal, and I feel like a new person. My doctor saved me, my relationship, my life, and my family!"

10 / 10
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  • Kee...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 1, 2019

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I had an awful manic episode late in college. Was on a host of different medicines afterwards for 6 months. They were all awful and my body's reaction to lithium was like I had the plague. I was prescribed Lamictal, 100mg. 6 years later and many ups and downs in life, I have been stable all the way. I like this medicine because I feel no side effects. I take it and I live my normal life. What more could you ask from your medicine? Hope it works out for others as well as it has for me"

10 / 10
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  • jor...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 17, 2024

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking 300 mg of Lamictal for manic/depressive episodes for 6-8 months. This is truly the only medication that has made me feel like myself. I can think clearly. Focus. Sleep normally. Less anger. It makes me feel 'normal.' It took 7 years before I found a medication that worked for me, and THIS IS IT!!!"

10 / 10
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  • 33...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 10, 2017

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I felt compelled to compose this review as I have been through 33 years of HELL. Like many of you, I was labeled as just depressed or anxious - nothing worked, CBT went over my head, SSRIs were ineffective, etc. I went on second-line SNRI treatment and all hell broke loose! Cycling within minutes, literally wanting to tear my own limbs off from frustration, then the next minute obsessing over meaningless rubbish. I had had enough of the NHS, and my job was on hold, having been off a considerable amount of time. I decided to get a private psychiatrist, and it was the best money I ever spent. I fit the bipolar 2 spectrum to a millimeter of its criteria - now I knew that I wasn't insane. Lamictal has saved me from suicide, literally!"

10 / 10
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  • Moo...
  • April 16, 2020

For Cyclothymic Disorder "I started lamictal about two years ago. It was the answer to my prayers. I was so hesitant to try a mood stabilizer when I first went to a psychiatrist. It scared me that I might have something more than anxiety. I am extremely sensitive to psych meds. I have to start with micro doses until I get to a therapeutic dose. Buspar was the only medication that didn’t make me feel anxious and restless, but it didn’t do much until I tried Lamictal with it. Before lamictal, I had frequent changes in my mood. All in the same day I would feel suicidal, very happy, fixated on a worry, normal, and then it would cycle again. I tracked my mood on a mood tracker and talked with my doctor about it. When they prescribed Lamictal, I was skeptical, but after the first three days, I felt normal for the first time in years. When I was a kid, I felt normal (no major anxiety, no crawling sensations in arms and legs, no suicidal thoughts). I am back!!"

10 / 10
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  • JBr...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 25, 2019

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal is the best drug I’ve ever taken. I had severe low moods for 5 years, and they were totally gone at 300 mg. It took 3 years for me to even hit a depressive low, and that was because of a real-life event. I am still eccentric and exercise like a maniac. The drug is not great alone for mania and anxiety. No hair loss, no mental dulling, does not make you tired, ZERO sexual side effects. Take only for bipolar depression, not for problems associated with extreme highs. If you are lucky enough to take this without the extreme side effects that some experience during titration, you are taking the most effective drugs to manage low mood swings. Rarely does a drug have such positive reviews. (Taken for 4 years)"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 7, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I started taking lamotrigine 2 days ago. I know that not much time has passed since I started taking it, but I almost immediately felt its effects on me. I came back to Earth, I have just come back to 'normality'. At first, it was strange. I mean I missed my previous highs, but I know that 'normality' is the way to making good decisions. I feel more stable and I am more aware that I am not alone, but there are many of my family members and friends who love me. I think it must be a great medicine, and I continue taking it with hope. I really wish all the best to everyone."

10 / 10
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  • Joh...
  • October 20, 2018

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "My bipolar disorder type II was untreated for my whole adult life, and I am now 40 and am treated. I can say without a doubt that this drug has changed my life. I used to be angry at everyone, constantly agitated, hypomanic and productive or hypomanic and destructive, or, most of the time, severely depressed and full of self-doubt. My life is entirely different. I go through most days feeling absolutely fine in my mind and body. When I don't feel great, I am able to check in on myself and take note of my symptoms, which then dissipate as soon as I comprehend them. My therapist says my prefrontal lobes have come back and I have my higher functioning back again—it's been years since I felt this in touch with my thoughts and desires. Take note of this: it didn't work hardly at all until I got up to the 200mg dose. In fact, I was almost as bad or worse until then with my cycling, but at 200mg it was like 'magic.'"

10 / 10
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  • Mel...
  • May 4, 2020

For Anxiety "I had tried Lamictal about a year ago for anxiety and depression and worked my way up to 100mg dosage. Mostly I noticed that I would get very emotional while on this medication, to the point that it was completely overwhelming and uncontrollable. My first two days on the medication, I felt good. But I started having very violent and vivid nightmares and insomnia. I would have panic attacks daily. I experienced some uncontrollable tremors and shaking over my whole body for hours. I felt very sick and nauseous. Recently I’ve noticed I had strong impulsive thoughts which triggered panic attacks and just left me unable to function. At this point I feel like I’m not able to function in my daily life. I have had to take clonazepam multiple times daily since I’ve been on this medication when I had gone over two months without taking any."

1 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.