Posted by Bob on March 21, 2001, at 21:43:51
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences: Long Term Use, posted by SLS on March 21, 2001, at 7:25:41
> Lamictal (lamotrigine) titration schedule for depression and bipolar disorder:
>
>
> 25mg x 2 weeks
> 50mg x 2 weeks
> * (75 x 1 weeks)
> 100mg x 2 weeks
> +50 x 1 week
>
>
> Average dosage = 200mg
> Range = 50mg - 300mg
> (50mg does not usually provide the maximum relief)
>
> I have seen a few people taking 400mg, which is actually the average dosage for Lamictal when used in epilepsy.
>
>
> I used a twice a day schedule.
> e.g. 25mg = 12.5mg at breakfast and dinner.
>
> This is the schedule recommended to me when Lamictal is not being added to any other anticonvulsant. It is somewhat slower than that which is recommended in the PDR, because the PDR assumes that one is adding it to another anticonvulsant. The EXCEPTION is DEPAKOTE (valproate). The dosage of Lamictal MUST be reduced by 50%, and the titration schedule twice as slow.
>
> * I stuck this in there for the hell of it. I guess if someone feels that they are particularly sensitive to Lamictal, it might make sense. Whenever I increased the dosage, I would feel some itching in my eyes that would disappear in one or two days. Without any data supporting the idea, I took this to be an indicator of my having a sensitivity to Lamictal, and that it gave evidence that the slower titration schedule chosen by my doctor was justified.
>
>
> - Scott***********************
It's not a bad idea to go even slower then this schedule recommends, if you can afford the luxury. If I remember correctly (and it was a while ago so I may not be recalling correctly) I followed the schedule recommended in the package, got a rash, and my doctor asked me to stop; so I couldn't find out if Lamictal would help me. I am still thinking about trying the med again. I think the slower you can ramp up on the med, the better.
Bob
poster:Bob
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57112.html