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Magnate
Member Since Jun 2016
Location: U.S.
Posts: 2,570
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#1
Hi, is anyone here on Lamictal and taking birth control pills? I was told that it decreases the amount of lamictal in the blood, which is why I was prescribed a high dose of lamictal. However, during placebo week when I am not on the pill, my lamictal levels rise and are beginning to cause problems.
I started to experience visual changes and migraines during placebo week and wonder if anyone else here has experienced adverse effects on lamictal and birth control. None of my doctors mentioned that this would be a problem. I even ended up hospitalized as a result of the visual disturbances. I was questioning whether this was even related to the lamictal or not, but I'm starting to think it is. I am wondering if I should ask my pdoc if she can give me a lower dose of lamictal to take during my placebo week to balance things out. My pharmacist friend brought this up as a possibility. If my pdoc won't do this, maybe I'll have her lower the dose of lamictal to see if that goes away since I am on a very high dose. I'm really afraid of de-stabilizing my symptoms though, as lamictal has been a good med for me. Anyway, is anyone else here on birth control pills with lamictal and experienced any issues? I might consider the non-hormonal IUD if this continues to be a problem. __________________ Bipolar 1 Disorder, Unspecified Anxiety Disorder |
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RoxanneToto, Soupe du jour
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Elder
Member Since Jun 2015
Location: Czechia
Posts: 5,153
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#2
It's interesting how Lamictal effectiveness may be lowered by birth control. I've read that, too. Interesting because similar anticonvulsant moodstabilizers have the opposite issue, particularly Tegretol (carbamazepine). I will say that I'm not sure how significant or definite the interactions must be. Perhaps some are affected more than others? In any case, please do discuss this with your psychiatrist.
I have taken a medium to large dose of carbamazepine for about 9 years. Also a lowish dose of Lamictal. My carbamazepine did necessitate that I try a non hormonal copper IUD. It seemed a great solution, but unfortunately it didn't work out for me, while I know it does for others. It kept shifting out of place. A problem. It also gave me spotting and very heavy periods. The latter caused me iron deficiency, so I had to take a prescription iron supplement. I don't mean to discourage this IUD, but I am hoping that perhaps any minor dose adjustment to Lamictal could be an effective first move. At least Lamictal likely doesn't make the birth control less effective. __________________ Dx: Bipolar type 1 Psych Medications: * Tegretol XR (carbamazepine ER) 800 mg * Lamictal (lamotrigine) 150 mg * Seroquel XR (quetiapine ER) 600 mg I also take meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and tachycardia. |
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xRavenx
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xRavenx
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Magnate
Member Since Jun 2016
Location: U.S.
Posts: 2,570
7 8,123 hugs
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#3
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__________________ Bipolar 1 Disorder, Unspecified Anxiety Disorder |
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