Posted by neuroman on September 19, 2006, at 18:33:38
In reply to Re: lamictal and dopamine, posted by Peter S. on September 14, 2006, at 23:46:55
Hi,
I'm not so sure that I agree with the premise that lamictal is dopaminergic. Glutamate stimulates dopamine release in certain brain regions. For instance, in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) glutamate stimulates dopamine release via increased nitric oxide production. Which may be why I felt an increase in libido for a few days after stopping it last year. Unfortunately, as we are all too aware, how most medications actually work once they are swallowed is still a mystery. Even to the people who produce them. With a medication that effects a number of different transmitters it's even more difficult to pinpoint what's going on.
Lamictal is an interesting medication and can be very helpful for some people. Unfortunately, when I tried it for a few months last year it made me feel horrible. It pretty much sucked what little energy I had left right out of me. However, when I added wellbutrin to the mix it pulled me back from the brink. By that point I had already decided that I wanted off of the lamictal. On the other hand, I have also taken neurontin in the past and am almost certain that it does have dopaminergic properties.
Paul
poster:neuroman
thread:686011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060919/msgs/687481.html