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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dopamine77 on July 16, 2015, at 7:09:52
I'm wondering if lamotrigine cancels out Dexedrine's effects? I know that lithium and divalproex does.
Posted by SLS on July 16, 2015, at 8:59:35
In reply to does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine?, posted by dopamine77 on July 16, 2015, at 7:09:52
> I'm wondering if lamotrigine cancels out Dexedrine's effects?
Probably not.
I don't know for sure. However, it is my guess that lamotrigine reduces activity in the glutamate circuits that suppress dopaminergic activity in the nucleus accumbens, an important reward /pleasure and motivation center of the brain. Through a process known as disinhibition, lamotrigine ends up increasing dopamine, not lowering it.
It is only my guess that amphetamine would not cancel-out lamotrigine. I did not lose the positive effects of lamotrigine by adding amphetamine or lisdexamfetamine. Actually, adding dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) gives me more energy and a slight improvement in mood when combined with lamotrigine. I don't like to use it except for emergencies when I have to function better. I don't want to build up a tolerance to or a reliance upon it.
By the way, adding Abilify to lamotrigine can help to activate limbic structures without producing subsensitization like Mirapex would.
> I know that lithium and divalproex does.
I hadn't heard that. Do you know where in the brain this occurs? To my surprise, I discovered that valproate can actually increase dopamine activity in the pre-frontal cortex (thinking linked to mood), although not in the nucleus accumbens (mood).
Has anyone recommended that you try to combine lamotrigine with NAC (N-acetylcysteine)? I might try doing this in a few weeks if I get stuck.
- Scott
Posted by Horse on July 16, 2015, at 10:43:44
In reply to Re: does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine? » dopamine77, posted by SLS on July 16, 2015, at 8:59:35
In my experience, they do not. (Currently I take Ritalin, not Dexedrine, and Lamictal.)
Posted by Christ_empowered on July 16, 2015, at 11:12:28
In reply to does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine?, posted by dopamine77 on July 16, 2015, at 7:09:52
I know someone on Adderall and lamictal. Seems to work well...the amphetamine helped with some of the cognitive stuff from the lamictal.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on July 16, 2015, at 21:16:53
In reply to Re: does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine?, posted by Horse on July 16, 2015, at 10:43:44
it can make it's effect maybe a bit more sudle.....not as direct in stimulation, it regulates the nuerotransmitter voltage .... i mean you would still get the dexedrine effect but it won't be as intense.....yet in another way it may improve the mood on it by stablizing some voltage
r
Posted by rjlockhart37 on July 16, 2015, at 21:20:49
In reply to Re: does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine?, posted by rjlockhart37 on July 16, 2015, at 21:16:53
lamotragine is good on mood, it could stablize the mood and let dexedrine do it's job.....
i don't like lamictal, but that only me, it has helped alot of people from what i've read on the net......
i'm on 400mg but i stopped taking taht much because it dulls my awareness and makes things feel too boring (everything is kept at bay) don't get into real intense euphoria states
Posted by phidippus on August 5, 2015, at 10:15:28
In reply to does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine?, posted by dopamine77 on July 16, 2015, at 7:09:52
The two drugs have very different pharmocological profiles. Lamictal's mechanism of action may include an increase in dopamine, but that is unclear.
Eric
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2015, at 12:41:31
In reply to Re: does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine? » dopamine77, posted by phidippus on August 5, 2015, at 10:15:28
> The two drugs have very different pharmocological profiles. Lamictal's mechanism of action may include an increase in dopamine, but that is unclear.
>
> EricMy theory is that lamotrigine indirectly disinhibits dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens via glutamate release inhibition upstream. (Certain glutamatergic circuits afferent to the nucleus accumbens function to inhibit dopamine activity there).
- Scott
Posted by phidippus on August 5, 2015, at 15:34:24
In reply to Re: does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine?, posted by SLS on August 5, 2015, at 12:41:31
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2015, at 23:46:59
In reply to Re: does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine? » SLS, posted by phidippus on August 5, 2015, at 15:34:24
How do you interpret the article you cited?
For me, lamotrigine exerts little or no antimanic effect. I don't think I am unique in this regard.
The article you cited provides no mention of the nucleus accumbens. I think you will find that glutamate antagonizes dopamine circuits there. The afferent glutamatergic neurons might be projections from the thalamus, but I'm not sure. I'm thinking that maybe an increase in DA activity via disinhibition increases appetitive and reward responses. I could be very wrong, but I have not yet come across an adequate explanation as to why lamotrigine produces improvements in depression.
- Scott
Posted by phidippus on August 6, 2015, at 17:27:51
In reply to Re: does lamotrigine cancel out dexedrine? » phidippus, posted by SLS on August 5, 2015, at 23:46:59
>How do you interpret the article you cited?
Mostly what I come away with was LTG caused a supression of DA and 5ht with single administration, whereas long term administration led to an influx of 5ht and dopamine. This is simplified...
>The article you cited provides no mention of the nucleus accumbens. I think you will find that glutamate antagonizes dopamine circuits there.
I can't find anything about the relationship between dopamine and glutamate in the nucleas accumbens.
Perhaps LTG helps with depression simply by antagonizing glutumate.
Eric
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