[xRavenx]

Just wondering anyone's experiences with Lamictal XR.....also, for those of you who were on both Lamictal and the XR one, what differences and similarities have you noticed? Any side effects that stood out? What have you found to be more effective?

The plan is for me to switch Lamictal to Lamictal XR to see how I do, so it would be helpful to hear any experiences.

[fairydustgirl]

honestly I don't really see a difference, it's just easier to take it once a day rather than twice..but that's just me.

I know with some meds, esp like the adhd ones, the longer acting medications keep your symptoms away at a more even keel, rather than the roller coaster/bellcurve that the 4 hr ones put people on. my kids were on 4 hr, 6 hr and then 10 hr formulations of ritalin back in the old days and the longer ones were so much better.

So Imagine that's what we should be expecting too with lamictal xr...more even moods.

[Crazy Hitch]

I take mine once a day - I didn't know there were two versions.

I'm curious now.

[~Christina]

Back then I didn't notice a single difference between the 2

[st0psign]

I didn't even know there was a lamictal xr. and ive been on it for 10 years

[xRavenx]

Thanks everyone. For those out there who are also curious, I'll let you know how it goes with the extended release when comparing it, just in case it would help anyone else out there wondering.

Originally Posted by fairydustgirl

honestly I don't really see a difference, it's just easier to take it once a day rather than twice..but that's just me.

I know with some meds, esp like the adhd ones, the longer acting medications keep your symptoms away at a more even keel, rather than the roller coaster/bellcurve that the 4 hr ones put people on. my kids were on 4 hr, 6 hr and then 10 hr formulations of ritalin back in the old days and the longer ones were so much better.

So Imagine that's what we should be expecting too with lamictal xr...more even moods.

Thank you for sharing. I am hoping it will do exactly that....keep me on an even keel. For years, I've been on the regular release Lamictal where I take 2 doses (12 hours apart). I've been on a rollercoaster with my moods, although there was a period of time where I did feel stable on the regular Lamictal. My pdoc slightly increased the XR dose, which I start tomorrow. Lithium is the Plan B (or will be added on to Lamictal) if there's no difference with Lamictal XR at an increased dose.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I've been on lamictal since 2008 and didn't know xr existed lol

[Bigmike727]

Never even knew there was an XR version of Lamictal. I take regular Lamictal, keeps me wake if I take it the pm so I take it in the am now.

[pirilin]

Nothing.

[JustJace2u]

I've not noticed a difference.

I never took the XR version -- only took it once a day. My guess is they developed the XR version because lamictal is now available generic -- gotta keep making those bucks. Not sure why the XR version would be necessary.

[xRavenx]

An update to my thread: my pdoc took me off of Lamictal XR (which I was only on a brief period of time) and now I'm resuming regular Lamictal since it is easily available in the Pharmacy. The XR was nearly possible to get on time...it always had to be ordered in advance, and it wasn't significantly effective anyway. So now, I'm on the two divided doses of Lamictal, 400 mg per day total.

[st0psign]

I've never been on the xr, didnt even know it existed... im just on the 200 mg shield pills.