Lamotrigine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jub...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 7, 2019

Lamotrigine for Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been taking Lamictal for years now and can say it really does stabilize my mood and helps with the depression side of my illness. I take it with Prolixin, also known as fluphenazine. This combination of these two drugs has worked the best for me for my schizoaffective disorder, and believe me, I've been on lots. The weight gain hasn't been bad either compared to Geodon, which caused me to crave carbs and gain. Drugs do make me sleepy."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2010

Lamotrigine for Schizoaffective Disorder "This medicine has helped me be more normal. I'm not unstable at all unless I skip my medicines, and I'm even in university, although it's very hard on me. When I take my Lamictal, if I did an all-nighter, I go straight to bed and miss class, so it does make you tired, but I wouldn't recommend missing your medication for more than one night. Lamictal really helped me lead a normal life, though. It's a great mood stabilizer and helped me have no relapses at all. I'm on Risperdal, Paxil, Lamictal, and Geodon right now, but trying to get off Paxil and Risperdal completely because it's made me gain a lot of weight."

• Gay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2017

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "I've been on Lamictal for 1 year for seizure prevention/mood swings. I gained weight, have a dry mouth, and insomnia. I told my neurologist I wanted to come off seizure meds as I haven't had a seizure for 5 years, he said no because the next seizure I have may be fatal! Great bedside manner! Now I have to live with side effects as I'm scared to come off Lamictal."

• Wit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2021

For Depression "Have depression and anxiety along with ADHD. Tried so many meds, all crap, make you crazy or fat, etc. Started a super low-carb, no-sugar diet in March 2019, lost 50 lb. Specifically asked my new doctor for Wellbutrin during that time. Doctor eventually put me on Abilify in May 2020. Started gaining weight back like crazy. Couldn’t get my doctor to switch me off it until May 2021, and she switched me to Lamictal. Still been gaining weight like crazy. No motivation in life. Feeling so indifferent towards everything. Worst thing I’ve ever been put on. Been a zombie living my life for the past 7 months and began tapering off my 100 mg per day dose a week and a half ago. Did 50 mg for a week, on day 3 of 25 mg, and let me tell you, it’s miserable! Do your research before starting this poison! I’ve never felt worse. Extreme dizziness and nausea! Lightheaded and can’t even stand up. Bad."

• Ali...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2018

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "After my diagnosis, the first trial of medication I was prescribed was Lamictal, and shortly after, Seroquel. Being 18 at the time, I didn't take it seriously enough at the time, so I didn't take my medication as I was supposed to. I went through 8 trials since that time (9 years). Antipsychotics made me gain tons of weight, so I took myself off all the ones I had been given trials of. Antidepressants made the condition noticeably much, much worse (I don't recommend them for bipolar patients). In 2016, I began to take my bipolar seriously, and 2 years later, I have never been in a better place. It doesn't help every aspect of BP1, but the duration of time between episodes is so much longer, as well as the severity of the mania or depression being much less intense. No negative side effects, either. Regardless of the episodes I inevitably get, this medication saved my life."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2022

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "A little over 3 or 4 months ago, I wrote a review on this drug, which I take for borderline personality disorder. I gave it a 10/10, however, some things have changed my opinion on Lamictal. First off, I think this is actually a great drug for mood stabilizing. I can’t remember the last time I lashed out or had a breakdown since I started taking this drug. I would say it works much better than antidepressants for me. However, I started breaking out with acne everywhere. Given that I’ve had very clear skin, this was a big problem for me. I think this can be easily treated, so that’s why I am not rating it lower. Another thing is that taking oral birth control with this drug is pointless since it reduces the birth control effectiveness. On the flip side, I have no experience of weight gain. Actually, I’ve lost about 8 lbs since I’ve been on this drug. I’m not sure if that’s the drug or if it’s that I’ve changed my lifestyle (which is probably what it is), but the main thing is that the drug has not caused weight gain."

• Sha...
• May 4, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been on Latuda since January 2015. And Cymbalta for several reasons, one being depression. Since November 2014, I was unable to get up and act like a normal human being, with suicidal ideations and one attempt. I was sleeping 24/7. I was unable to cope in a realistic manner. I had lost all hope, all joy, all energy, all motivation, until 2 weeks ago. My insurance got changed, so Latuda was no longer an option. I asked my doctor to put me on Geodon and Lamictal again. I slept 24/7 the first week, then some miracle happened. I started feeling alive and had energy, and my mood was fantastic. To say my life has changed positively is an understatement. I am a normal acting person again. Only problem is weight gain, I think from Geodon."

• Sta...
• May 29, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This medication is absolutely wonderful. I never thought I would be happy again, but it causes weight gain, and I can't have that with the borderline personality disorder. It's just too strong of a disorder to overpower weight gain in my mind. I continue to hope that I can be positive. I keep trying the medication for no weight gain. This is truly a great medication. Hope you give it a try. It could change your life."

• Jor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 27, 2017

For Depression "I've been on 100 mg Lamotrigine for 9 years now. I started it after a major depressive episode. No side effects that I can tell, which is a huge boon compared to SSRIs (weight gain, feeling hungry all the time, and no libido), and Wellbutrin made me feel like I was on speed. It is a mood stabilizer, not so much an AD. I went from having anxious and depressed episodes every few weeks to having them rarely. After a few years, I tried upping my dosage to 200 mg, but I felt too 'flat' emotionally and went back to 100. I still feel some depression, but the cycling is greatly reduced. Really a miracle drug for me. I recommend titrating up (and down) very slowly, to avoid getting the rash. It takes a while, but it was so worth it for me."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Is this how normal people feel? I've been a guinea pig for 20 years, trialed on every antipsychotic, antidepressant with varied success and massive weight gain, etc. Finally put on a mood stabilizer, Lamotrigine, titrated up, and feel the best I've ever felt. I feel like me, this is a miracle drug."

• Gra...
• August 30, 2016

For Epilepsy "I've been taking lamotrigine for about six months now. I absolutely despise it. It really doesn't work for my epilepsy. I have been trying to get it changed for months now, but my neurologist is hard to get appointments with. I still have my seizures at least five times a day, and because it really doesn't work, it's hard to remember to take it sometimes, but I almost always take it. It also made me gain some weight and not be able to lose it. I don't recommend this medicine."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2010

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "This is a great medicine. Many people don't know about using it as an alternative to SSRIs for mood stabilization, depression, and bipolar disorder. I've been on it for 1 year. The biggest benefits of this medicine are that it stabilizes my mood without feeling weird (fake, plastic, hyper) with very few side effects. The sexual side effects and weight gain I experienced on Prozac, and the restlessness and irritability of Celexa and Wellbutrin, just don't occur for me on this medicine. The drawback for me has been a narrowing of my emotional bandwidth. I rarely feel spontaneous excitement or joy. This may be partly because of life circumstances, but I'm certain that this medicine is also playing a role here. High anxiety may not be related to this medicine."

• Anonymous
• February 20, 2009

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal works great, but the side effect for me is weight gain. I have been using it for two years. To counteract the weight gain, I was put on Prozac. It helped to lose the weight, but other side effects caused me to discontinue it."

• Cat...
• March 11, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I was diagnosed with BPD over 12 months ago, and tried many antidepressants, only one worked, Valdoxan (others weight gain, no libido, etc.), which seemed to help with suicidal thoughts. I have been on lamotrigine for just under a month (50 mg) a day, and it has really helped with my outbursts and insecure thoughts. My partner says he has noticed a difference. But saying that, I feel the dosage should be increased, as sometimes I do let my thoughts run away with me, and then we have major problems!"

• Bip...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2013

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Lamictal 3 years ago. I have class 2 bipolar disorder. Before the Lamictal, I have always had doctors (since I was 16, I'm now 27) tell me I was depressed. But with the Zoloft and Prozac, I would go into extreme manic states and clean my floors for 6 hours, spend all my money on crap, cry uncontrollably, or even get violent. I was like that already, just worse on those medicines. Finally, seeing another doctor trying to find help, he put me on Lamictal. Small dose at first, and now I'm on 400mg/day. I have gained weight, 15 pounds, and have been on a diet for a year and see a personal trainer. Absolutely cannot lose weight. I still have all of my same bipolar symptoms, but they are not uncontrollable now. I am on lithium 200mg/day."

• bip...
• November 7, 2010

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I am very satisfied taking Lamictal 100 mg daily. For the last two years, from my most recent manic attack, I have not experienced any bad side effects from the pill. Unlike Depakote and Seroquel, it gave me a massive weight gain. Lamictal is good for people if you are not getting any rashes. I give this drug a rating of 9 for its efficacy."

• Tec...
• December 16, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I took a lot of antidepressants since I was 11. I was diagnosed with type 2 bipolar disorder at 14 because I was admitted into the hospital at 13 for suicidal ideations. They started me on Prozac, and I was numb. One day they took me off of Prozac and started me on Lamictal. I was at 5 mg, then went up to 25, then 75. Once I reached 100 mg, I started crying during a comedy. My mom and dad were so happy. They started me on 150 mg of Lamictal, and I was on that for a few years. Doctors were stunned because I only took one pill for bipolar. I stopped taking it in July 2012 after they raised my dose to 200 mg, and I gained 40 lbs. Now I'm 22, and I need to go back on it."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Saved my life. Went on it after my first (and hopefully last) week-long hospitalization for suicidal ideation. I felt different my whole life, now I’m 27 and have been on it 9 months, and feel “normal.” I still have ups and downs, but I am so even and able to cope. I met my boyfriend, am holding down a job, getting A's in grad school… all things I could not do 1 year ago. Don’t give up. It can get better. I take 100 mg twice per day. Slight weight gain, but I would take that any day if it means avoiding bipolar depression and hypomanic episodes."

• div...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal worked at 25 mg. Seems like every 6 weeks it's time to up the dosage, currently at 250 and raise to 275 in a week. Is there anything out there I can take with Lamictal? I don't want to gain weight. An antidepressant is a med I take also."

• Jen...
• February 23, 2016

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal gave me two ulcers, failed a drug screen for one of the best jobs around (said I had PCP in my system), debilitating headaches, and gained an immense amount of weight. I was hospitalized for attempted suicide, and my doc got mad when I weaned myself off. Having said that, I know lots of people that have had great success with it. I guess it all depends on the individual. Not all bipolar cases are the same."

• Zac...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 15, 2018

Lamotrigine for Epilepsy "I take 500 mg a day (have 2 separate prescriptions since it's above the maximum). Taking it for the last 5 years. It's been almost a year since I've had a seizure. At first, while I was increasing the dosage, it gave me extremely lucid dreams (like, wake up thinking that it was real kind of thing). After you're on it for a while, it's pretty much just life. Only bad I can think of is how irritable I get when I'm hungry, and I feel crummy when my blood sugar is low. It's made me put on some weight, which I hate. Can't wait to get off this stuff and have no seizures and lose weight!"

• nam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 27, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Lamictal at age 18 years old for bipolar, and I’m still on it at age 21. Lamictal reduces the frequency and intensity of manic and depressive episodes. I’ve experienced fewer side effects on Lamictal than any other mood stabilizer or antipsychotic I’ve taken. The risk for harmful rash (STS) is present but rare (I think it’s 3 in 1000 people). This risk is reduced by ramping up slowly. It took time to achieve a therapeutic dose. Lamictal is less effective when combined with hormonal birth control, so I take a higher dose. I’ve experienced depressive and hypomanic episodes on Lamictal, but they were efficiently managed by increasing the dose or adding an antidepressant. (I take Wellbutrin and Buspar for my total drug cocktail). I recommend this medication because it works without harmful side effects (like weight gain and brain fog)."

• sha...
• March 12, 2011

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have found Lamictal (lamotrigine) to not only balance my mood but to elevate me back to feeling human. This is profound and very refreshing. Having experienced mild to very severe depression all of my life, I have also had acute and moderately severe manic episodes. Over the past two months, I have worked my Lamictal dose very slowly up to 200 mg of Lamictal coupled with 25 to 100 mg of Seroquel (primarily for insomnia and secondarily for mood). Side effects have included memory loss, word recall problems, and distinct weight gain (even though I exercise often and rigorously). Overall, I would say this is a wonderful medicine."

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication is amazing. After about 7 months, I tell you, I have not been depressed not once, just situational depression. My mania is gone. I tried to go down, but I couldn't get back in. So I know officially that it is this medication that's helping me. Please trust me, I'm a real person giving a real review: it's amazing. Please give it a try if you have bipolar disorder. It will save your life. The only downside I have is a little bit of weight gain and acne, but I'll trade that for mental health."

• ind...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 27, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "BP1, most recent episodes were manic and mixed. Taking lamotrigine for the last 11 months as mono-therapy (with Klonopin PRN) after no meds for 15 years. Upping very slowly, got up to 100 mg about 4 months ago and it's been mostly smooth sailing since then. Klonopin is down to .25 mg, 2-3x/month, so I know the Lamictal is helping my anxiety and insomnia. OCD is way improved as well. Oh, and I was really afraid of the weight gain with mood stabilizers, but at my yearly checkup last week, I found out that I'd lost 20 lbs over the last year without even realizing it."