![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on April 28, 2000, at 9:52:09
Hi everybody.
Things are starting to turn pretty foul for me. I have discontinued all antidepressants and am currently taking Lamictal. I am trying to stay clean until decisions are made as to what to do next. Because I experienced an energizing-effect from Neurontin monotherapy three years ago, I was thinking that combining it with Lamictal may improve things a bit.Any comments?
Thanks a lot.
- Scott
Posted by Cam W. on April 28, 2000, at 21:51:56
In reply to Lamictal + Neurontin combination? - duh, spelling, posted by Scott No-Brain Schofield on April 28, 2000, at 20:00:18
Scott - There should be no pharmacokinetic interactions between Lamictal and Neurotic (... er Neurontin - Freudian slip, ya think) as Neurontin is not metabolized to any appreciable extent. A couple of things to keep in mind with these meds, though:1) The risk of Lamictal rash (1/10; Steven-Johnson Syndrome - 1/1000) can be reduced by increasing your Lamictal dose very slowly. I recommend starting with 25mg daily for 1 week; increase to 50mg for the next week and then 50mg twice daily for 2 weeks; then increase by 50mg daily every 2 weeks until target dose is reached (usually 150mg - 200mg total daily dose).
2) Neurontin has a saturable absorption. Single doses in excess 600mg at a time are not appreciably absorbed. It has a short half-life and should be give at least three times daily anyway. For example, if you are taking 3600mg total daily dose, (which I hope you don't need - it is the maximum dose I have seen as a mood stablizer augmentation), you will need to take 600mg - six times daily to ensure full absorption.
You probably know this; I am just reiterating. - Cam W.
Posted by Lynne on April 28, 2000, at 22:47:23
In reply to Re: Lamictal + Neurontin combination? - duh, spelling, posted by Cam W. on April 28, 2000, at 21:51:56
Scott,
What are the differences between these two drugs? Which drug would help best with depression and social phobia.Thanks,
Lynne
Posted by Chris A. on April 29, 2000, at 0:31:00
In reply to Lamictal + Neurontic combination? - Help., posted by Scott L. Schofield on April 28, 2000, at 9:52:09
Rats - I was hoping it was some great new miracle drug :)Sorry I can't help you with that combo. Neurontin did nothing for me. Lamictal is one I may revisit.
Best,
Chris A.
Posted by Lynne on April 29, 2000, at 17:42:53
In reply to Re: Neurontic , posted by Chris A. on April 29, 2000, at 0:31:00
Can anyone tell me about their experiences with either of these drugs. I am considering taking one of them.
Thanks ,
Lynne
Posted by DC on April 29, 2000, at 21:23:33
In reply to Lamictal vs Neurontin info, posted by Lynne on April 29, 2000, at 17:42:53
> Can anyone tell me about their experiences with either of these drugs. I am considering taking one of them.
>
> Thanks ,
> Lynne
Hi, Lynn. I have found Neurontin very helpful for social phobia. I was very surprised! It hasn't been used much for this disorder. There is a new drug in the works--it's being testing here at Yale for social phobia--called pregabalin which is very similar to neurontin. I'm looking forward to trying it when it gets released--if ever.
Posted by Sean on April 30, 2000, at 11:29:09
In reply to Lamictal vs Neurontin info, posted by Lynne on April 29, 2000, at 17:42:53
> Can anyone tell me about their experiences with either of these drugs. I am considering taking one of them.
>
> Thanks ,
> LynneLynne,
I've been taking Neurontin for about six months and
have found it to be quite benign in terms of side
effects. At first it makes you a bit drowsy and
spacey, but this wears off in about a week.For me, I noticed that it changed the length of
time I sleep (longer) but did not really help in
going to sleep. In terms of mood, I have found it
much more useful in terms of hypomania than treating
my depression. In fact, I think monotherapy made
my depression somewhat worse. What it has allowed
me to do, however, is take zoloft at a dose which
treats my depression.Anyway, it is a well-tolerated med and easier to
take than lithium. It might be safer than depakote
and lamictal, but these drugs have been used safely
by many people as well.Just try it. Be well,
Sean.
Posted by sure thing on April 30, 2000, at 22:23:54
In reply to Lamictal + Neurontic combination? - Help., posted by Scott L. Schofield on April 28, 2000, at 9:52:09
tried both together; try it - best comb. yet
Posted by Lynne on May 1, 2000, at 9:50:07
In reply to Re: Lamictal + Neurontic combination? - Help., posted by sure thing on April 30, 2000, at 22:23:54
> tried both together; try it - best comb. yet
Sure Thing,
Can you tell us why you are taking these meds and the positive effects that the combination has done for you. What doseages are you taking? Side effects? Did you try them both seperatley also?
Thanks!
Posted by surething on May 7, 2000, at 7:57:33
In reply to Re: Lamictal + Neurontic combination? - Help., posted by Lynne on May 1, 2000, at 9:50:07
migraine, depression, anxiety
tried everthing else
neurontin alone didn't stop cycle
lamictal works best as anti-depressant and anti-cycle, neurontin as anti-anxiety
don't throw out other stuff as it thrown in may be needed still - is for me
dosage and other things vary so much you have to start at bottom and work way up - mandatory with lamictal anyway
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.