[bos314489]

My doctor just increased my dose of Lamictal from 300 to 400 mg. I take it in the morning and was so drowsy I wasn't able to work. Can this dose be divided to take half in the morning and half at night? Has anyone experienced lethargy with the increased dose? Doc says it is supposed to help my depression. Would call him but he is out of town. thanks

I wouldn't change the schedule of medications until you've had a chance to talk to your
psychiatrist when he gets back. I've taken Lamictal and it did cause drowsiness for
me, but I got used to it pretty quickly. We're all different, though, in our reactions to
psychotropic drugs.

[seemoreglass]

I'm on 300mg and take it at night. Maybe talk to your psychiatrist about taking it at night instead of the morning.

[BipolaRNurse]

I agree with genetic. Even as an RN, I don't mess with my psych meds at all---I take them exactly the way my pdoc wants me to, even when I don't necessarily like it.

These meds are too dangerous to screw around with, and I have to respect the superior knowledge and skill it takes to know how to prescribe them. I did have trouble with Lamictal making me sleepy in the AM when I first started it, and for some time afterward; however, when I asked if I could take my whole dose at night instead of half in the morning and half at night, he said No. His rationale was that the medication offers better coverage if it's taken twice daily. Your pdoc obviously has another idea, and you should do it his way until you get the chance to talk with him.

The good news is, the drowsiness usually goes away after a few weeks after starting Lamictal, and sooner if it's just an upward adjustment. I'm not sure why you're supposed to take it all in the morning. With some people, it can make them sort of wired so I can see why it could be beneficial to take it then. I don't know your situation, but then that's why you have a doctor.