Posted by SLS on June 16, 2000, at 9:25:45
In reply to Re: Amnesia associated with Lamictal (Lamotrigine)?, posted by judy1 on June 15, 2000, at 12:28:36
Hi Guys!
Yes. Lamictal can do a number on memory.I suffered some pretty heavy-duty memory disturbances when I took more than 300mg/day. I would be driving down a road that I've been on all of my life, when it suddenly became unfamiliar to me. I wouldn't know where I was. What's worse, I didn't even remember where I was going.
I can't comment as to what extent these memory disturbances dissipate with time, as I didn't stay at 450mg for very long. I do believe, however, that I experienced some problems when I restarted Lamictal in September and moved to 300mg. They have dissipated completely. When treating bipolar depression, 200mg seems to be the average effective dosage (range 50-300mg). I need 300mg for it to help at all. Judy's suggestion to try lowering the dosage to find the maximum you can tolerate is a good one.
Has your ability to walk a straight-line been affected?
Is Lamictal helping at all?
What is it about your case that requires mood stabilizers to treat it?
Does or did lithium ever help at all?
Have you ever combined Depakote and lithium?
Do any members of your family have bipolar disorder? If so, what drugs are effective for them?
Treating a depressive episode with mood stabilizers alone is often ineffective (with the exceptions of Lamictal and possibly Zyprexa). Antidepressants are often required, but it is encouraged that one also be taking mood stabilizers to help prevent a switch into mania. I'm sure you know all of this already.
The decision you and your doctor reach as to whether or not to continue with Lamictal will depend on many factors regarding your case profile and treatment history. Lamictal is a good mood stabilizer with antidepressant properties that seems to be effective for treating various bipolar presentations, including rapid-cyclicity. Of course, it doesn't work for everyone, nor will it necessarily work by itself. Judy's suggestion regarding using Lamictal in combination with Depakote is a good one. However, when doing so, the dosage of Lamictal must be reduced by half, as Depakote prevents the body from eliminating it as fast.
Another combination that is emerging as potentially effective is Lamictal plus Neurontin. Neurontin may play a role analogous to Depakote by increasing GABA activity, albeit by different mechanisms. The NIMH recently published a study describing its effectiveness, and seems to be pursuing it. These two drugs do not affect each other's levels in the body. I recently tried this combination. Unfortunately, it was inadequate for me.
So, what else is new?
Good luck P.B. et al. Is your dog bipolar? Is he involved in your decision making process? I doubt you can go wrong by listening to him.
Hi Judy. :-)
You may want to look into the Lamictal + Neurontin combination if you are otherwise stuck, especially since you describe a good response to Lamictal + Depakote.
- Scott
> Has any one out there experienced amnesia while on
> Lamictal for mood stabilization? As my pdoc has
> increased my dosage over the past six weeks or so, I've
> started having some significant memory lapses. I
> finally read the GlaxoWellcome's package insert for
> Lamictal, and they list amnesia as a "frequent" side
> effect.
>
> By the way, because my amnesia/memory lapses are occurring with greater frequency, my pdoc is tapering
> me off the Lamictal - but she said I can't go too fast
> for risk of a seizure if I abruptly stop the med.
>
> Also, any success stories with different mood stabilizers other than lithium, which I currently take.
>
> Thanks,
>
> PB & J.C.> Too bad about lamictal, I really liked it, although it worked too well as an AD- pushed me into hypomania. Depakote is great with mania, but it makes me depressed. Neurontin helps with anxiety, but that's about it. Hated tegretol (vomited all the time), but I hear it works well for a lot of people. The best combo has been depakote and lamictal- if you can handle a lower dose of lamictal w/o the amnesia- would your dr. consider it? I'm assuming depression is the problem here, since you probably wouldn't be posting if manic. Take care and Hi to your dog- Judy
poster:SLS
thread:37316
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000610/msgs/37507.html