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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 4WD on June 27, 2005, at 22:11:57
Is this an okay dosage? It's what's in the startup sample pack my pdoc gave me today. But didn't I read someone here was starting at 12.5 mg per day? Also should I take it morning or at night? The package says take it once a day.
Can I expect to see *any* results in the first week or so? I'm supposed to take 25mg day for two weeks, then 50mg/day for two weeks and then go to 100mg a day in the fifth week.
Can the rash happen at any time? Or do you have to be on it for a while before it's a risk?
THanks for any info.
MDD
Anxiety disorderCelexa 10mg
Klonopin .25mgMarsha
Posted by SLS on June 27, 2005, at 22:43:47
In reply to Starting Lamictal 25mg/day, posted by 4WD on June 27, 2005, at 22:11:57
Hi Marsha.
> Is this an okay dosage?
Yes. Follow the starter pack. I wouldn't drop down to 12.5mg unless you react badly to it.
25mg x 2 weeks
50mg x 2 weeks
100mg x 1 week
200mg x ? clinical evaluation> It's what's in the startup sample pack my pdoc gave me today. But didn't I read someone here was starting at 12.5 mg per day? Also should I take it morning or at night?
I took mine in the morning because I found it somewhat energizing. Some people take all of theirs at night because it makes them sleepy. Once I reached 100mg, I have always taken mine twice a day. The average for bipolar disorder lies at just over 200mg.
> Can I expect to see *any* results in the first week or so?
Yes. Many people experience a very brief improvement at 25mg and 50mg during the first few weeks. This usually disappears, though, and reappears only when the target dosage of 200mg is reached.
> Can the rash happen at any time?
Yes. The really bad one, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, usually appears as a rash beginning at the neck and above. However, any rash should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible. If you do have a rash reaction, one generally discontinues the drug immediately. However, it can be reintroduced and titrated more gradually.
> Or do you have to be on it for a while before it's a risk?
Most rashes have occurred within 2 to 8 weeks of starting Lamictal, although it can appear as much as 6 months later. Proper titration of Lamictal all but abolishes the risk of producing severe rashes.
There was a pretty good website I ran across. Let me see if I can find it.
Here we go.
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/LamRash.htm
- Scott
Posted by 4WD on June 27, 2005, at 23:10:13
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal 25mg/day, posted by SLS on June 27, 2005, at 22:43:47
> Hi Marsha.
>
> > Is this an okay dosage?
>
> Yes. Follow the starter pack. I wouldn't drop down to 12.5mg unless you react badly to it.
>
> 25mg x 2 weeks
> 50mg x 2 weeks
> 100mg x 1 week
> 200mg x ? clinical evaluation
>
> > It's what's in the startup sample pack my pdoc gave me today. But didn't I read someone here was starting at 12.5 mg per day? Also should I take it morning or at night?
>
> I took mine in the morning because I found it somewhat energizing. Some people take all of theirs at night because it makes them sleepy. Once I reached 100mg, I have always taken mine twice a day. The average for bipolar disorder lies at just over 200mg.
>
> > Can I expect to see *any* results in the first week or so?
>
> Yes. Many people experience a very brief improvement at 25mg and 50mg during the first few weeks. This usually disappears, though, and reappears only when the target dosage of 200mg is reached.
>
> > Can the rash happen at any time?
>
> Yes. The really bad one, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, usually appears as a rash beginning at the neck and above. However, any rash should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible. If you do have a rash reaction, one generally discontinues the drug immediately. However, it can be reintroduced and titrated more gradually.
>
> > Or do you have to be on it for a while before it's a risk?
>
> Most rashes have occurred within 2 to 8 weeks of starting Lamictal, although it can appear as much as 6 months later. Proper titration of Lamictal all but abolishes the risk of producing severe rashes.
>
> There was a pretty good website I ran across. Let me see if I can find it.
>
> Here we go.
>
> http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/LamRash.htm
>
>
> - Scott
Scott, I am putting you on my gratitude list for today.Thank you for your quick answers. I'm a bit nervous about the Lamictal and if there's anyone out there whose answers I trust, it's yours (that includes my pdoc).
I'll start it in the morning. Thanks, again, so very much.
Marsha
Posted by mogger on June 28, 2005, at 13:08:12
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal 25mg/day » SLS, posted by 4WD on June 27, 2005, at 23:10:13
Hang in there,
I am taking 300mg of Lamictal and it is fantastic. Just try to relax, go up slowly, and try not analyze side effects (which might by psycho-sematic) too much. Going up slowly should be fine, for me the benefits were gradual but worth the wait.
mogger
Posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2005, at 22:25:03
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal 25mg/day, posted by mogger on June 28, 2005, at 13:08:12
Scott's a hunk! Ask him for his web page. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 6:33:21
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal 25mg/day, posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2005, at 22:25:03
> Scott's a hunk! Ask him for his web page. Fondly, Phillipa
I'm sorry to disappoint you, Phillipa, but I don't look quite the same today as I did then. I'm not too bad, though. ;-)
Damned meds.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2005, at 18:07:25
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal 25mg/day » Phillipa, posted by SLS on June 29, 2005, at 6:33:21
Yeah you are Scott. Remember beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. We all get older and it's hard to give up that feeling that we're invinsible. I tried the plastics thing. But all the aches and pains are still there. And as far as the meds are concerned do you really think you could have kept up that pace forever? Look at Jack Lalane. He still works out but he's gotten older. And I'll bet you're "honey" still thinks your a hunk! Meds didn't do it all time does. Fondly, Phillipa
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