[xRavenx]

Two months ago, I was switched from lamotrigine to lamotrigine ER (i.e. Lamictal XR) by my new pdoc. My pdoc also upped my dose (which was much needed). I noticed oddly enough that it says in the pamphlet that the ER version is for epilepsy but "may be used for Bipolar." My new pdoc was the one who switched me to ER version since she said a lot of her patients do well with it. When I read the XR version "may be used for Bipolar" today, it alarmed me since it makes me wonder, Why wouldn't she keep me on the regular release that clearly indicates its use is for Bipolar?

Now I'm wondering if based on this information, I should ask her to place me back on the regular version of Lamictal. My pharmacy never has the XR in stock. I have to always ask the Pharmacy to order it a few days in advance. Even when I check other Pharmacies around me, they always tell me they have to order it. It's such a pain.

I'm surprised she said it's successful with a lot of people with BP since most people I talk to aren't even familiar with the XR version. Has anyone here had any experience with the extended release? I'm wondering if at this point I should ask this new pdoc to put me back on regular release since I hardly ever hear of anyone taking the XR version. With my history of episodes, I'm afraid. She's aware of my history of mania, but still....I don't know whether to trust her on this.

[Skeezyks]

Hello xRavenx: I don't know the answer to your question. But I noticed no one had replied to your post. So I thought I would. From my perspective, I think this is something you're going to need to talk over with your prescribing physician.

I recall, quite a few years ago now, when I was in the hospital, the pdoc who was tending me put me on one of the standard versions of one of the antidepressants. (I suppose that would be an XR variety?) I don't recall, at this point, which AD it was. But what I do recall is that it made me SO nervous I couldn't sit still. I was awake that whole night! The following day, she switched me to the extended release version of the same AD & it was fine. More recently, I was put on Lamictal. But I developed Lamictal rash & had to be taken off of it right away. I'm no longer on any med's at all... for better or worse... Best wishes...

[xRavenx]

Thanks Skeezyks. At my next appointment, I'm definitely going to bring all of this up. Since I've only had this pdoc for a short period of time, I'm still getting used to her and how she makes decisions...so hopefully things will continue to go okay with her. When doctors make changes, I forget some of the questions I mean to ask them when I'm right there at the appointment and always remember later on, so I'll probably have to start writing stuff down.

[still_crazy]

hi. doctors--psychiatrists in particular--seem to love shiny new pills. Lamictal xr is a shiny new pill. I doubt it'll hurt you any to continue taking it, but it would be cheaper for your insurance company to go for the generic, ir version.

my best wild guess is that the company hasn't bothered doing tests in Bipolar I for the xr. My guess would be that the xr is primarily for seizures, because steady blood levels in epilepsy can be a big deal. Also, they want to keep making money off the same molecule, so--voila! same pill, now in xr. please pay us tons of $$$.

I hope you and your doctor can get this sorted out.

[~Christina]

I had trouble years ago getting a much needed asthma medication . My pharmacy said to call 3 days prior to refill and then they would have it for me. It was a pain but after a few months of filling there computer system set up the delivery each month so I didn't have to call ahead

I was recently switched to XR , there is no difference for me

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I had trouble years ago getting a much needed asthma medication . My pharmacy said to call 3 days prior to refill and then they would have it for me. It was a pain but after a few months of filling there computer system set up the delivery each month so I didn't have to call ahead

I was recently switched to XR , there is no difference for me

Thanks. I think that will be what I have to do. I'm not used to having to do that, but hopefully it will get straightened out. I do like that with the XR I don't need to take divided doses, so at least that's a plus. I don't feel better nor worse with the XR, so I'm guessing the efficacy shouldn't really be different.

I think I'll try to trust this pdoc, especially since she showed a lot of concern for me when I first met with her, so maybe I'm over analyzing the difference between the immediate release and extended release version.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I didn't even know there was extended release! I've been on it since 2008. I take it twice a day

[Anxietygirl74]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Two months ago, I was switched from lamotrigine to lamotrigine ER (i.e. Lamictal XR) by my new pdoc. My pdoc also upped my dose (which was much needed). I noticed oddly enough that it says in the pamphlet that the ER version is for epilepsy but "may be used for Bipolar." My new pdoc was the one who switched me to ER version since she said a lot of her patients do well with it. When I read the XR version "may be used for Bipolar" today, it alarmed me since it makes me wonder, Why wouldn't she keep me on the regular release that clearly indicates its use is for Bipolar?

Now I'm wondering if based on this information, I should ask her to place me back on the regular version of Lamictal. My pharmacy never has the XR in stock. I have to always ask the Pharmacy to order it a few days in advance. Even when I check other Pharmacies around me, they always tell me they have to order it. It's such a pain.

I'm surprised she said it's successful with a lot of people with BP since most people I talk to aren't even familiar with the XR version. Has anyone here had any experience with the extended release? I'm wondering if at this point I should ask this new pdoc to put me back on regular release since I hardly ever hear of anyone taking the XR version. With my history of episodes, I'm afraid. She's aware of my history of mania, but still....I don't know whether to trust her on this.

I had asked my psych about this possibility a on a recent visit because I figured taking Lamictal 300 XR would be easier than having to take Lamictal 150 twice
a day. She told me that in her experience, many patients did not react the same and weren't as successful on the XR version than the regular version. This isn't the case for all people, but may be part of why it's so difficult to find it in the pharmacy.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by Anxietygirl74

I had asked my psych about this possibility a on a recent visit because I figured taking Lamictal 300 XR would be easier than having to take Lamictal 150 twice
a day. She told me that in her experience, many patients did not react the same and weren't as successful on the XR version than the regular version. This isn't the case for all people, but may be part of why it's so difficult to find it in the pharmacy.

That's interesting to know that patients did not do as well on the XR. I asked today for my pdoc to switch me back to the regular version of Lamictal, and she was quick to do so. I'm glad....now I no longer have to deal with the pharmacy giving me a hard time, and maybe I'll do better in the long run on the immediate release twice per day.