Is lamictal effective against mania?

[werehorse]

I've just recently started on lamictal. When discussing it my pdoc said some interesting things. She said it was mostly used for bipolar depresssion and while she had seen it used as a mood stabiliser the jury was still out on its anti-manic effects.

This suits me for the moment because I am still recovering from a severe episode of depression but now I am worried my mood is going to fly, because I've noticed a couple of warning signs.

What has been your experience? Do you find lamictal stops mania or do you need another med in addition for that?

[AirMarshall]

I don't think the answer is simple.

Lamictal IS a mood stabilizer, that helps stabilize manic and depressive episodes. It is probably a bit better at reducing depression than mania. Lamictal is not rapid acting and is not recommended for treatment of acute episodes of either mania or depression, like Lithium is.

Some of the rationales for multi-drug therapy is to take advantage of the best properties of each drug, as well as to use drugs at lower dosages to limit side effects.

In my case, yes, I took Lamictal with Lithium, then later dropped Lamictal for an AD, Cymbalta.

[rowan77]

My pdoc told me that Lamictal is not very effective in treating/preventing mania. However that is just HIS opinion and what he has seen and it may very well be effective for mania in other people as we are all different

[Odetta]

I got a little hypo once lamictal started working, so my pdoc added an AP. She told me that lamictal was a good choice for me because I mostly suffer with depression and less mania.

[wj74]

Lamictal stabilized me enough that it made my episodes less frequent (rapid cycles) but in the end after maxing out on the dosage I was still manic and he put me on Seroquel,

[VioletB]

When I balked at being put on two meds at once, my doc said I could take Lamictal by itself, but that my depression would take much longer to lift. She also opposed me just taking Wellbutrin, as it is activating on its own, and I have hypomanic episodes. During the period when I was increasing my Lamictal dosage to present, it seemed to be activating, but that effect seems to be gone now. I am not manic or irritated now, and there's nothing else that would be taking away the hypomania, so I think it must be the Lamictal. Even premenstrually, I am getting neither angry nor euphoric now.

[Squirlygrl]

I believe PubMed is full of studies of this question. Of course, that raises the questions of: how big is the study? how long? compared to what? Acute or maintenance? Also, people in studies tend to be desperate, i.e., very sick. Bottom line: I see no reason not to trust the person who is treating you.

For what it's worth, you may be giddy with relief after being down for so long, and maybe that will subside if watched. I tend to swing that way.

It may also depend on how high you tend to get.

For me, no, it does not work alone (or even in combination with many things). Back when I was on lithium and Lamictal, I was told that someday I might drop the lithium. Things subsequently got more colorful, and I do not believe that consultant would give that advice to the "new me."

I am glad to hear that you are doing better.

[sircuit]

For what it's worth Lamictal and Seroquel keep me from visiting LaLa Land.

[Antigone]

Lamictal did not keep me out of mania, but I was on both Wellbutrin and Effexor at the time. Since then, I have dropped the Wellbutrin and been on an endless stream of AAPs and mood stabilizers and been in crushing depression and mixed states for a year. I finally refused any more mood stabilizers or AAPs for the moment, and am waiting to see what happens with just Lamictal and Effexor, with an eye to treating any signs of mania or psychosis symptomatically and short term. I seem especially sensitive to medication and side effects.

I have a good support system of personal insight, my husband, a live in friend and my sister to help me reality test and really gauge my moods, so we will see how this test goes.

So, yeah, I would say that I would keep an eye on how Lamictal works for you and keep in close touch with your doctor.

Good luck!

[Gearhead]

Lamictal is famous for making people feel a little zippy when they first start taking it. I found I couldn't sleep if I took it at night with the rest of my meds and switched to taking it in the morning. Mostly that side effect goes away as you raise the dose.

Personally I think it's better as an antidepressant than as an antimanic, but I'm not really sure. Aside from a prednisone-induced mania, I haven't been manic since I've been on it. But I take a bunch of other meds including Seroquel, so I can't address it as monotherapy.

[basuraeuropea]

I've just been prescribed Lamictal for GAD/PD as my pdoc says that it is effective as an anti-manic (although I don't have bipolar disorder; my only diagnoses are GAD and PD) and thus will reduce anxiety levels. After reading the responses here as well as anecdotes all over the internet, I'm starting to question whether or not I should be taking this drug at all.

[saoirse]

It was not effective for me as an anti-manic. Went hypomanic and fully manic while on Lamictal.

[The Emperor]

While on Lamictal alone (well, with Valium) I was manic for a short time frame until we got that under control with another med. To me it has not been very effective at controlling that by itself.

As far as anxiety goes, I don't think the Lamictal touches it. I noticed no difference in my anxiety whatsoever when I started or throughout the course of my treatment with Lamictal.

[basuraeuropea]

As far as anxiety goes, I don't think the Lamictal touches it. I noticed no difference in my anxiety whatsoever when I started or throughout the course of my treatment with Lamictal.

exactly what i think - now i have to convince my doctor that it's doing nothing! sorry to derail thread - continue on!