Millie Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Hello everyone, I have a question for those taking lamictal as a mood stabilizers. My psychiatrist has prescribed me 75 mg a day of lamictal, I've started on 25 mg once daily and will build up. My question is: Do I take the 75 mg at once daily or do I need to split it up throughout the day? Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimako Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 You should call your psychiatrist and ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tryp Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Some people take it once a day and some twice. I've personally found that I had much worse side effects taking it all at once. But other people manage okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Welcome to CB I'm on a higher dose, but I split mine to take it twice a day. But I would take it like your pdoc prescribes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I can't tell you how to take it (you should ask your doctor), but I take my 200 mg all at once at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I take 100mg in the morning and 100mg at night, but you can take it all in one dose. Best to sk your pdoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamagotchi Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Some take it all at once, some split the doses, but you need to talk to your pdoc about that. Once you determine a schedule, try to stick to the schedule and take it at the same times(s) each day. For those who take Lamictal multiple times per day-- Consider trying the XR version (extended release). It has become available as a generic so most insurance should cover it. You only have to take it once a day and it can reduce side effects because of the slow release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tryp Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I wish I could do that, Tama - we don't get Lamictal XR in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amosleigh Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 I take a high dose, 400mg, all in the morning. Luckily it's very benign for me, no tiredness or other weirdness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 (edited) I'm currently on a schedule to build up to 400mg/day. I'm doubling the dose every 2 weeks. I started with 12.5mg once a day, then 25mg taken as two divided doses, and now I'm on 50mg, also taken as two divided doses. As the others said, you really need to check with your psychiatrist to see what titration schedule s/he wants you to follow. Those on higher doses have most probably already reached their target levels, and things are done slightly differently and more carefully in the early stages of being on this med. And welcome to CB! Edited April 30, 2014 by miab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 For those who take Lamictal multiple times per day-- Consider trying the XR version (extended release). It has become available as a generic so most insurance should cover it. You only have to take it once a day and it can reduce side effects because of the slow release. We don't have Lamictal XR in Ireland. Never even heard of it until now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie Posted April 30, 2014 Author Share Posted April 30, 2014 Thank you everyone for your replies. I appreciate it so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonderful.Cheese Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 I'm titrating off of it. But I took all 400 mg at bedtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjimjam Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 It should say on the label on the container. Lamictal is usually taken in one daily dose up to 200mg. Above that it is taken twice a day, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 I know this is late, but I am going to move this to the AC and mood stabilizer board, in case some people with other illnesses have some useful info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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