[Tucson]

I was placed on Lamictal and titrated up to 200 mg. I was then given 300 mg due to my complaints of cycling everyday. This helped. A couple of months later (2 or 3), I noticed a significant change. First, I started feeling much better from my depression. Then I had over one month of a very stable mood where I was very good. This has not happened to me in a long time. This happened a few months after the dose change. I am depressed now but still relatively stable.

Can Lamictal have its full effect a few months after starting a new dose?

[ceramichornets]

Typically, antidepressants or mood stabilizers, whether you just got back on them/starting them or are going up a dosage, take about a month and a half to kick in. It's how long your dopamine receptors need to regrow new dendrites, which get worn down and die off from depression.

I've been on and off lamictal for about three years. Each time I've taken it, it's usually taken about two months to kick in. However, going up a dose took less time.

It really just depends on the person.

[Tucson]

Maybe it was the Zyprexa increase or a combination of both?

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by Tucson

I was placed on Lamictal and titrated up to 200 mg. I was then given 300 mg due to my complaints of cycling everyday. This helped. A couple of months later (2 or 3), I noticed a significant change. First, I started feeling much better from my depression. Then I had over one month of a very stable mood where I was very good. This has not happened to me in a long time. This happened a few months after the dose change. I am depressed now but still relatively stable.

Can Lamictal have its full effect a few months after starting a new dose?

You might not feel much difference from Lamictal, since typically it generally has anti-depressant properties at 500mg-600mg. I'd see if your Prozac and Zyprexa doses need to be adjusted for depression help and mood stability, or even trying another AD like Cymbalta...but I'm not a pdoc, so just ask a pharmacist or pdoc to verify it! Best of luck!

[gubernova]

Just to chime in, I'm on lamictal and it only prevents the cycles from coming sooner but doesn't prevent them. I was stable for three years then pop, rapid cycling with depression went out of control.

[SillyKitty]

I'm on Lamictal 300 mg. it doesn't STOP my cycles, but it def helps. I've been on it for 3 years now. They had to up the dose a couple times, but I'd say it can have full effects in a couple of months.you may want to talk to your pdoc about adding something to help with the depression.