Outpatient medical professionals may be unwilling to attempt to navigate Lamictal withdrawal. This particular drug, for some, may pose challenges to be able to properly manage withdrawal without residential support.
Even if Lamictal was prescribed during a demonstrable crisis, this does not always mean that a lifetime of drug use is warranted.
Do Your Symptoms
Require Lamictal?
Alternative to Meds has been an expert on mood-stabilizer withdrawal and Lamictal alternatives for over 15 years. We have published evidence regarding our success. Largely, we find dietary problems, drug use, blood sugar issues, and navigable 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.
This video is a 10-year tribute success story for a young man who was pronounced schizoaffective or bipolar depending on which hospital admission. He was in and out of hospitals, delusional, and on the verge of being committed to a state institution. But fortunately, he had a mom who believed differently and got him to our center. He is now an accomplished book author and international speaker and has himself become a pillar of hope to others who have also been disenchanted with the limits of medicating
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
The Prescribers’ Digital Reference on Lamictal (lamotrigine) provides the drug’s label information detailing over 37,000 words on the side effects ranging from mild to life-threatening, dangerous interactions of Lamictal with other drugs, and other warnings.12 That’s comparable to the size of an Agatha Christie novel — yet, In all of that ocean of material, one single sentence mentions withdrawal. The drug package information directs the patient to cut the dose by 50% for week one, and then do another 50% cut for week 2, and no other direction or guidance is given.
Evidence suggests that attempting such an abbreviated approach may introduce impassable difficulties. At Alternative to meds, we would proceed in a much more nuanced way, tailoring the process to each individual, much slower, and with support in place to soften the withdrawals. More on these protocols used at Alternative to Meds Center will be further described below, and can also be found on our services page.
In other literature, we found one case report by Frey et al that followed 6 patients on Lamictal, where clinically significant withdrawal phenomena were present at “end of dose,” meaning before the patient’s next dose. The authors conclude that these interdose withdrawals caused marked subjective distress, making the continued use of lamotrigine questionable as the withdrawals between doses could hamper successful treatment.15 We also found a case report by Gelisse et al, where psychomotor, severe depression, tachycardia, and other withdrawal symptoms were observed after a 4-day withdrawal off lamotrigine. The authors concluded, with some surprise, that lamotrigine causes withdrawal symptoms even though it is rarely reported.11 As Cosci and Chouinard observe in their 2020 article published in the Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, acute and prolonged Lamictal withdrawals do occur, but are seemingly under-reported, under-researched, and even overlooked in medical literature, especially when prescribed in the treatment of bipolar.16,13,14
People that are being treated with this medication for seizure disorder will also need to exercise additional caution during the withdrawal process and need to be medically monitored in the process. For those with seizure disorders, some have reported seizures and seizures of greater intensity and frequency where withdrawal is too rapid.6 Slow, gradual cessation over several months is suggested according to Cosci and Chouinard’s 2020 article.16
Lamictal withdrawal symptoms include:
Seizures, increased frequency and duration in epileptic persons.*6
Seizures in bipolar persons (non-epileptic persons).6,7
Anxiety.17
Anhedonia (pervasive loss of the capacity to experience pleasure.)11
Rebound, worsening of bipolar symptoms18
Increased risk for psychosis19
Recurrence or worsening of depression, mania, or mixed episodes20
REM or RBD (sleep) symptoms such as recurring frightening vivid nightmares9
Dysphoria (intense feelings of discontent, indifference.)20
*In a 2005 study comparing withdrawal manifestations off Lamictal and other anticonvulsants, all participants with pharmacoresistant epilepsy experienced seizures of increased intensity during lamotrigine withdrawal.6,7
Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsive medication used in the treatment of seizures in patients aged two years and up and as bipolar maintenance for the delay of recurring episodes of depression, mania, and hypomania.
Below you will find a number of topics for discussion and study, including uses for the drug, side effects, important notes about safe protocols for withdrawal, 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 is Lamictal (lamotrigine) Used For
Lamictal is used for epileptic seizure prevention and control, and as a mood stabilizer to treat the manic and depressive episodes of adult bipolar disorder.
It is FDA approved for use in children as young as 2 years old as well as adults as an anticonvulsant medication to prevent epileptic seizures.
We at Alternative to Meds Center often see Lamictal prescribed as an adjunct to antipsychotic medication. Lamictal is used as a mood stabilizer and when combined with an antipsychotic, creates an inhibition of both glutamate and dopamine. This also leaves a person with difficultly perceiving natural reward or stimulation, which is why the consumer may be driven to seek lower dosing or non-medicating alternatives.
Lamictal Alternative Names and Slang (lamotrigine)
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
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 systeminflammation, 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
Severe Lamictal Side Effects:
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 (an involuntary movement disorder)
Hives
Tumor in breast tissue
Blood disorders
Decreased white blood cells
Decreased blood platelets
Meningitis (inflammation of the 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)
Common Lamictal Side Effects:
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
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, careful monitoring should be ongoing for any signs of these or other unusual or adverse reactions to this drug.
Lamictal Withdrawal: Getting Off Lamictal (lamotrigine) Gradually
Lamictal should never be stopped abruptly, unless as in the case of HLH, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or other dire situations as noted above, that require a life-saving medical intervention. 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 rebound excitability. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid are the acidic versions of aspartate 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 Withdrawal (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 unipolar depression where other antidepressant medications have not helped. According to the research of Mago, as published in the Psychiatric Times, this is an inappropriate use of lamotrigine.21
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.
Is Lamictal Addictive?
Mood stabilizers, like most psychiatric drugs, can create a dependency, most pronouncedly after long-term use. Lamictal dependence can occur over time. 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 a tolerance to a drug. This means that when you stop taking such a drug you will experience withdrawal symptoms.22
Withdrawal symptoms are also found as a component of addiction, where uncomfortable symptoms present when the drug is stopped. In the British Journal of Addiction, Goodman proposes a useful definition of addiction that includes powerlessness over the addictive substance, and continuing to take the addictive substance despite negative consequences of doing so. No reports have been found that document Lamictal addiction so defined.23
Treatment for Lamictal (lamotrigine) Withdrawal
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.
Alternative to Meds Center does offer such investigatory work as part of the usual programs, with a wealth of adjunctive therapies provided in our inpatient program, to ease the process. Safe Lamictal tapering methods are 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, gradual, and gentle Lamictal withdrawal.
11. Gelisse P, Kissani N, Crespel A, Jafari H, Baldy-Moulinier M. Is there a lamotrigine withdrawal syndrome? Acta Neurol Scand. 2002 Mar;105(3):232-4. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2002.1c220.x. PMID: 11886370. [cited 2021 April 12]
13. Bowden CL, Asnis GM, Ginsberg LD, Bentley B, Leadbetter R, White R. Safety and tolerability of lamotrigine for bipolar disorder. Drug Saf. 2004;27(3):173-84. doi: 10.2165/00002018-200427030-00002. PMID: 14756579. [cited 2021 April 12]
14. Goldsmith DR, Wagstaff AJ, Ibbotson T, Perry CM. Spotlight on lamotrigine in bipolar disorder. CNS Drugs. 2004;18(1):63-7. doi: 10.2165/00023210-200418010-00007. PMID: 14731061. [cited 2021 April 12]
17. Ketter TS, Malow BA, Flamini R, White SR, Post RM, Theodore WH, “Anticonvulsant withdrawal‐emergent psychopathology,” Neurology.org, First published Jan 1, 1994, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.44.1.55, [cited 2021 April 12]
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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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.
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. 
