A member asked:

I have mild depression and adhd.my doctor wants to use lamtorigin. when reading the side effects scared me. does the denfit out way the side effects?

18 doctors weighed in across 5 answers
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Risk vs benefit: Weighing the benefits and risks is done on an individual case basis. Write down medication questions that you have. You can ask some of these to your pharmacist. Let your doctor know of your concerns so that you can discuss them. I use Lamotrigine often. My patients have found it beneficial - however it does have a black box warning.

Answered 10/4/2016

5.3k views

Thank
Dr. Colin Sanner answered

Specializes in Neurology

Very benign med: Lamotrigine is quite safe. 3% of people develop a benign spotty red rash; 0.3% develop a severe rash. It speeds metabolism of estrogen, so use barrier contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancy. That's it for adverse effects. On the plus side, it's quite useful as an atypical antidepressant. Its risk of birth defects is lower than most antidepressants, and no mental fog or sedation. Good luck!

Answered 4/25/2015

4.9k views

Thank
Dr. Pamela Pappas answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Lamotrigine: I agree with others about lamotrigine's relative safety as a mood stabilizing agent. However, its only fda approved indications are as anticonvulsant & as maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder. If you truly have only "mild depression and adhd, " use of Lamotrigine would be off label -- and your doctor needs to inform you of this. Ask your dr. About your diagnosis & perceived benefits.

Answered 6/26/2014

4.9k views

Thank
Dr. Alan Koenigsberg answered

Specializes in Psychiatry

Confusing: In my practice i regularly prescribe lamotrigine, as well as prescribe off-label, which is perfectly legal and legitimate. In patients with recurrent depression, i can understand the rationale behind prescribing a mood stabilizer to help modulate the moods. In my practice, diagnoses or mild depresion and adhd, i'd probably go with a stimulant and antidepressant.

Answered 10/1/2013

4.9k views

Thank

LET'S CLARIFY: We have used Lamictal in epilepsy for literally yrs, and only very rarely have we encountered rash problems. This is truly easy and safe to manage, as folks start very low dose and titrate upwards. If an itchy rash occurs, we stop the drug and the entire problem departs. Bad things happen when there is little or no communication. The risk of a rash is 5-6 % at most.

Answered 9/28/2016

4.9k views

Thank

Related Questions