[grandmaof3]

I took my 15 year old to her pdoc today and he prescribed lamictal. What should we watch out for ?

[dragonfly2]

The biggest concern with Lamictal is the development of a potentially serious rash. You probably received an information sheet with her prescription from the pharmacy that will explain other side effects. If not, ask the pharmacist for one. Her pdoc would be the best one to answer this question, since he knows her history and what other medical issues might be involved.

[BipolaRNurse]

Yes, the rash can be a serious reaction that signals Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which as I recall is a sort of autoimmune disorder that can be miserable and even lead to death.

Now that I've scared you half out of your wits (sorry!), let me reassure you that this is relatively rare. Statistically, about 10% of patients on Lamictal develop a rash, but only a fraction of them go on to develop full-blown SJS. Still, the rash IS a risk for which you and your daughter should be vigilant about monitoring her skin regularly, especially while she's ramping up her dosage.

Of course, any further questions should be answered by a pharmacist or your daughter's pdoc, but Lamictal is generally well-tolerated with minimal risk of weight gain and other less desirable side effects of bipolar medications. It does make the mouth pretty dry, and it tends to make one a little drowsy during the day, but it's not anything that can't be overcome.

FWIW, I started Lamictal about a month ago and it has been nothing short of miraculous for me---I was a train wreck when I first started taking it, but after ramping up a couple of times already, I'm feeling almost like my 'normal' self again. I hope your daughter finds the same kind of success with this drug that I've had.

[~Christina]

There is a very small risk of her getting the rash ... my pdoc said 8 people out of a thousand are getting the rash .. I have been on it for over a year and i havent had any problems and im highly sensitive to all medications ..

The medication is slowly titrated up so as to avoid the rash.

((((Hugs))))

[BuggsBunny]

I found Lamictal to be an easy to tolerate drug that helped my bipolar depression.

Just be aware that when doses are changed, some of us get side effects. For me, I get very depressed for a few days while I adjust to a new dose. Then I come out of it and return to normal. Otherwise, i was on it for 18 months, with little to no side effects. Then I reached 400 mgs and broke out in psoriasis, so I've had to discontinue the drug. I miss it already.

[Kymaro]

Something not to forget, make sure she takes her dose regularly around the same time every day. Missing a few days can send one into a swing. Then it takes days to return to the premissed dose level. (speaking from experience). But yes, watch for the rash and check with the pdoc or pharmacist for other smaller side effects (most can be tolerated and go away with continued use) As for the dry mouth (common side effect) can cause increase cavity rate cuz it wears down the protective coating of the teeth. there are mouth washes out there for just that. If dry mouth is a problem try the mouth wash or tooth paste for dry mouth to protect her/his teeth. I learned this lesson to late after damaging several of my teeth.

[dragonfly2]

Something else to be aware of is that because Lamictal acts as more of an antidepressant-type mood stabilizer (though it is still an anticonvulsant), it has been known to actually trigger mania in some people. It's not very common, but it does happen. For my daughter, it was a difference of only 50 mg. At 200mg/day she was fine, but at 250mg she became very agitated. I'm on 300mg/day and haven't had any problems, so it's really an individual thing.

[grandmaof3]

Thanks everyone. So far it is just making her sleepy. He started her on 25mg for 2 weeks then up to 50 mg for two weeks. Then she goes back to see him. We'll see how it works. She was on zoloft but he took her off that when he started th lamictal.