![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by paulb on December 31, 2015, at 23:51:30
Hi
Happy new year to you all. I would like to ask if anyone has any success with Lamotrigine and 5-HTP for treatment resistant depression i.e to SSRIs, TCA's, MAOI'S. Ive read that Lamotrigine tinkers with the 5-HT system in some ways although specifically how and where is unknown to some degree. Has anyone had any success with this combo
Many thanks for your advice and all the best for 2016. Have a good one. PB
Posted by SLS on January 1, 2016, at 0:28:28
In reply to 5-htp and lamotrigine for refractory depression, posted by paulb on December 31, 2015, at 23:51:30
> Hi
>
> Happy new year to you all.Happy New Year.
> I would like to ask if anyone has any success with Lamotrigine and 5-HTP for treatment resistant depression i.e to SSRIs, TCA's, MAOI'S. Ive read that Lamotrigine tinkers with the 5-HT system in some ways although specifically how and where is unknown to some degree.
I have not heard that.
One Harvard researcher suggested combining lamotrigine with NAC (N-acetylcysteine). Both drugs modulate glutamate in different ways. NAC can take a few months to work. The dosage should be around 2000 mg/day.
Are you currently taking lamotrigine? What dosage?
Is there any bipolarity involved? Family history?
- Scott
Posted by paulb on January 1, 2016, at 1:09:56
In reply to Re: 5-htp and lamotrigine for refractory depression, posted by SLS on January 1, 2016, at 0:28:28
i only take 25mg of Lamotrigine which i know is very low but altough id be the first to admit this is a low dose since ive been on it it seems to help with my anxiety/depression a bit and was wonderiing if i should augment with perhaps 50mg 5-htp with meals to see what effect i get. I would add Scott that i have tried SSRI's, TCA's, MAOI's, lithium which was quite good but they took me off it because of the possibility of liver toxicity. Note: Lithium was used to augment an antidepressant not treat bipolar. There is no history of bipolor its just i know Lamotrigine has unipolar AD effects. thanks for your response byw
Posted by SLS on January 1, 2016, at 8:03:25
In reply to Re: 5-htp and lamotrigine for refractory depression, posted by paulb on January 1, 2016, at 1:09:56
> i only take 25mg of Lamotrigine which i know is very low but altough id be the first to admit this is a low dose since ive been on it it seems to help with my anxiety/depression a bit and was wonderiing if i should augment with perhaps 50mg 5-htp with meals to see what effect i get. I would add Scott that i have tried SSRI's, TCA's, MAOI's, lithium which was quite good but they took me off it because of the possibility of liver toxicity. Note: Lithium was used to augment an antidepressant not treat bipolar. There is no history of bipolor its just i know Lamotrigine has unipolar AD effects. thanks for your response byw
Why would liver toxicity be a concern for you when taking these drugs when it is not a concern for most other people?
I can't think of any reason why 5-HTP could not be combined with lamotrigine. The addition of 5-HTP only becomes a concern with SRIs (includes any drug that is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and MAOIs. Doing so carries a theoretical risk of developing serotonin syndrome. Even so, a few people have combined these drugs successfully.
Lamotrigine and Wellbutrin make a good combination, particularly when Abilify is added. I really feel that you should gradually increase the dosage of lamotrigine. Most people need 200 mg/day, regardless of whether they are unipolar or bipolar.
- Scott
Posted by paulb on January 1, 2016, at 9:37:05
In reply to Re: 5-htp and lamotrigine for refractory depression, posted by SLS on January 1, 2016, at 8:03:25
Hi Scott
Re the lithium that was out of my hands. My physician said "I dont want you coming to me in a few years saying youve got liver failure" Maybe he felt because i wasnt bipolar doctors whould be less stringent with blood tests, Who knows? I think part of the problem was what has been coming up in this thread of ours as a topic-unipolor and bipolar depression. I have unipolar depression and the physician didnt think it warranted being on a medicine like lithium for unipolar type. I should add that i am on Abilify 30mg OD and I think its a terrific medication. Your advice about the combination of Lamotrigine-Wellbutrin-Abilify intrigues me. Persoanlly I feel you have to do the psychotherapy as well and it can(and has) taken years for me personally to get to where I am now which is basically not housebound due to anxiety/depression. RE lamotrigine increase that certainly something i will enquire about. Once again thanks for your advice, pb
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 1, 2016, at 16:59:58
In reply to Re: 5-htp and lamotrigine for refractory depression, posted by paulb on January 1, 2016, at 9:37:05
I take 30 Abilify, 100 Lamictal, 400 Wellbutrin SR, and 1200 Trileptal. I also do Orthomolecular. This combination has been very, very good for me. I rarely take a low dose gabapentin (100mgs capsules) and/or low dose risperidone (2mgs) when I feel the need.
Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.