Posted by Blue Cheer 1 on February 10, 2002, at 0:29:49
In reply to Lamictal as anti-depressant- how? what doses?, posted by 3 Beer Effect on February 8, 2002, at 17:43:08
> I am starting with 25 mg of lamictal/day as a mood-stablizer/antidepressant & my dose is to be increased by 25 mg each week. I am quite depressed & was wondering at what dose range does Lamictal work as an anti-depressant. Is Lamictal as strong of an antidepressant as the SSRIs (which I can't tolerate-mania/insomnia). I take the lamictal once at night because it seems to cause nausea for me- Why do some people take it twice a day if the half life is 32.8 hours?
Lamictal is an excellent antidepressant and mood stabilizer (for some) in bipolar disorder. I think the package insert says to take it in divided doses if you're using more than 200 mg or 250 mg/day. I've been taking it for four years this week - always at bedtime (200 mg. to 350 mg.).
>
> Why does Lamictal have anti-depressant properties? It only has a "weak inhibitory effect on the serotonin 5HT3 receptor & weak effects at sigma opoid receptors." "Lamictal did not inhibit the uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, or aspartic acid."I forget now. Calcium and sodium channels, glutamate?
I think you'll find it has the least side effects of any of the anticonvulsants used in bipolar disorder.
Good luck with it.Blue
poster:Blue Cheer 1
thread:93340
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020208/msgs/93542.html