Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Withdrawal Symptoms, Side Effects, and Help

Medical professionals typically do not possess the expertise necessary to navigate Lamictal withdrawal. While they may be very skilled at getting people inducted on powerful neuroleptic medications, they rarely invest much effort in getting them back off.

Even if Lamictal was prescribed during a demonstrable crisis, this does not always mean that a lifetime of drug use is warranted.

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Alternative to Meds has been an expert on Lamictal withdrawal for over 15 years. We have published evidence regarding our success. Largely, we find dietary problems, drug use, blood sugar issues, and navigatable genetic contributors to be involved to some degree in these cases. When these are addressed, we find that these medications can be reduced and usually eliminated.

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Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anti-convulsive medication used in the treatment of seizures in patients aged two years and up, and as maintenance for the delay of recurring episodes of depression, mania and hypomania to help patients suffering from bipolar disorder.

Below you will find a number of topics for discussion and study, including uses for the drug, side effects, notes about withdrawals, and other frequently searched topics of information about Lamictal. There are some special safety notes and warnings that anyone considering starting or stopping Lamictal (lamotrigine) should be aware of.

What Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is Used For

Lamictal is used for epileptic seizure prevention and control, and to treat the manic and depressive episodes of adult bipolar disorder.

It is approved for use in children as young as 2 years old as an anticonvulsant medication to prevent epileptic seizures.

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Alternative Names and Slang

Lamictal is the brand or trade name for the generic drug lamotrigine. There is no known slang or street name for the drug, and there is no evidence that the drug has been associated with street or illicit use or sale. There are many alternate names for Lamictal, including domestically:

Lamotrigina
Lamotriginum
3,5-Diamino-6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazine

And just some of the international names include:

Elmendos
Labileno
Lambipol
Lamictal CD
Lamictin
Lamotrix
Mogine

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Side Effects

In April 2018 the FDA issued a new warning regarding anti-seizure medications including Lamictal precipitating a rare but life-threatening reaction. This reaction is described as a severe immune system inflammation, called HLH or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis which can quickly escalate, especially if not treated quickly, and can lead to death.

Some signs of HLH include persistent fever and low or absent natural killer cells, and certain other characteristics in the blood that are markers for HLH. Mortality rates for HLH are 50%, and it occurs in children more often than in adults, which is a concern since Lamictal is approved for patients aged two years of age and older. (1)

Other severe though rare side effects that can present include:

Kidney failure
Severe rash
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (life threatening ulcers, eruptions, blistering, peeling, open sores and discolorations of the skin with other complications involving the mucous membranes or other areas, requiring immediate cessation and emergency treatment in ICU or burn unit)
Impaired liver function
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Loss of hearing
Dyskinesia (involuntary movement disorder)
Hives
Tumor in breast tissue
Blood disorders
Decreased white blood cells
Decreased blood platelets
Meningitis (inflammation of brain, rigidity, intense fever and pain, can lead to coma or death)
Epididymitis (infection/inflammation of the testicles)
DRESS syndrome (severe rash, hypersensitivity event, that has a 10% mortality rate)
Hypersensitivity drug reaction (allergic type reaction to a drug)
Erythema Multiforme (mucous membrane/skin reaction can be mild or can be life threatening in rare cases)
Lowered resistance to infection
Purplish spots on the skin
Stopped breathing
Pancreatitis
Multiple organ failure
Repeating seizures, loss of consciousness between episodes
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (similar to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, the skin falls away, leads to sepsis and requires emergency treatment)
Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels)

There are also many more frequent side effects to be aware of in taking Lamictal, including:

Tremors
Suicidality
Altered mental states
Mood swings
Anxiety
Confusion
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Weight changes
Painful menstruation
Neck pain
Involuntary eye movements
Irritable, easily upset or angered
Worsening depression
Shakiness
Loss of coordination
Dizziness
Somnolence
Headache
Nausea
Pain in stomach
Back pain
Insomnia, interrupted sleep
Flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, nasal inflammation, etc.
Double vision or blurring of the vision
Dry mouth
Rash
Chest pain
Tiredness, fatigue
Sensitivity to light
Swelling of the hands, feet, limbs
Stiff neck
Fainting, losing consciousness

It should be noted that since many very young children are placed on Lamictal for epilepsy disorders, that careful monitoring should be on-going for any signs of these or other unusual or adverse reactions to this drug.

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Withdrawal Symptoms

Lamictal withdrawals can be mild, moderate or severe and medical oversight is recommended to anyone considering withdrawal from the medication. If the withdrawal is too sudden, some people have reported seizures. Gradual cessation is the recommended way to come off Lamictal. Some people will have little to no withdrawal symptomology, some may have much more severe discomfort.

Some of the other symptoms to watch for during withdrawal may include:

Changes in mood, temperament
Suicidality
Lethargy
Headaches
Unusual sensations, i.e., prickling or tingling
Tiredness

Discontinuing/Quitting Lamictal (Lamotrigine)

Lamictal should never be stopped abruptly, unless as in the case of HLH, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or other dire situations as noted above, where there is a medical emergency that requires such measures as a life-saving maneuver. These require immediate hospitalization.

In the vast majority of cases a gradual taper is the recommended procedure for coming off a mood stabilizer to avoid a sudden shock to the body that could leave the person in a worse off state than before the prescription was initiated.

Lamictal influences two amino acids, aspartate and glutamate. These are excitatory neurotransmitters, which Lamictal restricts the release of, thereby causing a calming effect. When gradual Lamictal tapering is occurring, more of these excitatory agents may start to release into the system and this may cause rebound excitability.

Lamictal restricts presynaptic permeability of the excitatory amino acids aspartate and glutamate. When a person is withdrawing from the medication, it is generally accepted that more of these excitatory amino acids, with stimulatory neuromodulating capabilities, will begin to flood into the synapse, and there may be a rebound excitability. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid are the acidic versions of asparate and glutamate. This can be further compounded if foods containing versions of aspartate and glutamate are consumed during the withdrawal period. Therefore, foods such as diet sodas, processed foods, and artificial sweeteners (which break down into aspartate) should be restricted. One can do a search for foods that contain aspartate and glutamate to be sure these can be avoided. This modified diet may help significantly during Lamictal withdrawal.

Lamictal (Lamotrigine) FAQs

Information has been collected here covering some often asked questions about the drug’s classification, its properties, how it is used in treatments and several other topics.

Is Lamictal a Mood Stabilizer?

Lamictal was approved by the FDA as a mood stabilizing medication and is considered highly effective in preventing episodes of depression in patients with bipolar disorder. It is most often used for its anticonvulsant properties to prevent epileptic seizures in children and adults. Approximately 6 out of every 1000 people in the US suffer from seizure disorders.

Epileptic seizures occur when too many electrical signals are firing at one time in the brain and central nervous system. The seizure could be likened to a “short circuit”. (4)

It is thought that Lamictal (lamotrigine) stabilizes electrical activity in the brain. Preventing too much electrical activity also stops or curbs the release of a neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate is the most abundant amino acid in the brain and throughout the entire central nervous system. Glutamate is also the most powerful excitatory neurotransmitter in the human body and brain. (2)

Along with inhibiting the release of glutamate, Lamictal is also thought to signal the release of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

By influencing and perhaps modulating the interchange of these two neurotransmitters it is hypothesized that Lamictal can stabilize moods, prevent seizures, and prevent bipolar episodes or depression or mania from happening. (3)

Is Lamictal Used for Depression?

Yes, Lamictal is used in bipolar patients to prevent or delay depressive episodes, as well as to prevent or delay manic or hypomanic episodes in bipolar patients. There are reports of the drug being used for depression where other antidepressant medications have not helped.

Can Lamictal Cause Liver Damage?

Yes, Lamictal has been linked with liver damage and liver failure. A patient taking Lamictal should be monitored and checked regularly for any signs of liver pathology or damage.

Treatment for Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Abuse and Addiction?

Lamictal dependence can occur over time, as with any medication. There is a lot yet to be learned about how Lamictal and similar drugs work, but it is known that the body can build up tolerance to a drug, and that side effects can become problematic.

The decision to come off Lamictal should be carefully assessed in the context of why it was prescribed, and whether the drug has or has not increased the health and quality of life of an individual.

Because of the inherent risks involved with Lamictal, withdrawal should only be done under medical supervision so that the process can be done in a safe and controlled way.

When choosing help, be sure to ask if the professionals who you will be working with have specific experience working with patients coming off Lamictal, and medication withdrawal in general.

In addition to the above discussions with your physician, don’t be afraid to ask about the complications that the doctor has personally seen, and how they might have been resolved. Certainly, if he or she has been doing medication withdrawal and has attained competence, there would have been some rough cases along the way. Sometimes, certain cases would like outside of outpatient capacity to treat. Knowing the difference is mastery and sometimes a second opinion is pragmatic.

The prescribing doctor may be reluctant to withdraw a medication that they have invested faith into. A doctor that specializes in medication withdrawal may have unique viewpoints worth considering.

These questions would probably be even more important to explore primarily if outpatient treatment is being considered. Antipsychotic medication withdrawal complications may sometimes fall outside the capacity of an outpatient treatment setting. Seek second opinions, and keep asking questions until all the information you need has been provided so a confident treatment decision can be made.

If mental health issues, for example, depression or the beginning signs of mania, were not met with holistic, medical or other drug-free exploratory methods and investigations before prescribing medication, then no real attempt to discover why these symptoms were present ever occurred. Holistic psychiatry would incline toward such investigative work well before prescribing medications. (5)

An inpatient program that does implement investigative testing might be a considered approach leading to bonafide solutions that do not have to include prescription drugs.

The Alternative to Meds Center does offer such investigatory work as part of the usual programs, as well as safe Lamictal tapering methods administered by physicians with decades of experience in medication withdrawal. We encourage anyone in this difficult situation to become more acquainted with our resources for safe and gentle Lamictal withdrawal.

This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.

Dr. John Motl, M.D.

Dr. Motl is currently certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, and Board eligible in Neurology and licensed in the state of Arizona. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and minors in chemistry and philosophy. He graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Motl has studied Medical Acupuncture at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and at U.C.L.A.

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