Lamictal - What the Hey Is This

[Guest shivas]

On the PI sheet, says Lamictal 'Binds to Melanin'

Melanin is the pigment in the skin that affects hair color and produces freckles...

Now, I have some freckles on my face, which I like!

Call me vain, but I don't want any more, especially in weird spots or anything bizarre, like blotchy skin or something like that.

Just wondering if anyone else with similar complexions on Lamictal have noticed any changes pertaining to their skin when exposed to the sun (other than the photosensitivity/sunburn stuff)?

Or even if you don't have freckles, what the heck does "Binds to Melanin" mean exactly. Does it mean it produces more melanin? I'm a bit perplexed.

On a side note, I just ramped up to 200mg and feel great, a little anxiety temporarily, naturally, with the increase, which could be why I'm writing this...

Would really appreciate any input

[Sam]

Apparently the iris of the eye is also affected. Huh. Who knew? Still researching.

Sam

[Sam]

Well, this isn't about your freckles, but here is a Q&A about it.

Lamictal and Melanin

And here is stuff about the sun:

Patients taking Lamictal should not try new shampoos, soaps, or detergents and should avoid sun exposure so as not to increase the chance of an allergic reaction or development of a rash which is not due to Lamictal, but would necessitate stopping the medication in order to investigate the source of the rash. The appearance of any rash in a patient taking Lamictal should be immediately reported to a doctor

From http://www.whatmeds.com/meds/lamotrigine.html

As far as I can tell, the sun is only to be avoided due to the rash factor. There wasn't anything else I could find on it.

I think your freckles are safe and we aren't going to turn up with Michael Jackson skin disease or anything.

Sam

[Niz]

The only thing I've seen about Lamictal and melanin is that it can cause toxicity in certain tissues. It looks like nothing's sure about the long-term consequences of the melanin-binding, though..

[Guest shivas]

Thank you for your replies

After being in the sun the past few days, all seems clear. Most of these side effect worries, for me, stem from initial pre-medication and post-started medication anxiety. Melanin binding is probably just another one of those things they have to list and maybe they don't even no what the heck it means, since Lamictal is such a complex (though very handy for me) drug. As far as the 'iris' is concerned, if I ever go blind, I'll blame it on the Viagra. I took some last night & thought I stepped on a rake. Rimshot

Shivas

[NARS]

You have my sincere sympathy with the titration-related anxiety.  Every time I increased the dose I was all over the boards with my lamictal (and other) worries and obsessively pawing through every thread on lamictal I could find.  Don't sweat it; we've all gone through it. 

[CeruleanBlue]

Patients taking Lamictal should not try new shampoos, soaps, or detergents and should avoid sun exposure so as not to increase the chance of an allergic reaction or development of a rash which is not due to Lamictal, but would necessitate stopping the medication in order to investigate the source of the rash. The appearance of any rash in a patient taking Lamictal should be immediately reported to a doctor

That's for sure.  I just started Lamictal two weeks ago, and the second day I was taking it (25. mg.) I stopped in a health food store (for chocolate, of course!) and sampled some mango shea butter lotion they had sitting out.  About 15 minutes later my hand started itching intensely, to the point where I had a small spot that bled.  I didn't make the connection with Lamictal for a couple of hours (duh) and so far, that's all I've had, so I didn't call the doctor.  But I won't sample any new potions till I'm done titrating!

[CeruleanBlue]

Maybe I'm just allergic to mango--who knows?  I've never tried it in a cream before...and I think I shall never try it again (I'm not much for fruity smells anyway!)