Lamotrigine for Borderline Personality Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)
Brand names: Lamictal, Lamictal XR, Lamictal ODT, Lamictal CD, Subvenite
Lamotrigine has an average rating of 8.0 out of 10 from a total of 101 reviews for the off-label treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. 77% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 16% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Lamotrigine
- lamic...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- January 23, 2024
"I've been taking Lamotrigine for 14 years now. I first started taking it after trying a range of different meds for epilepsy. I had severe and constant adjustment anxiety from age 3 onward. I was later diagnosed at age 16 with Major Depressive Disorder, and at age 19 with MDD secondary to Borderline Personality Disorder. I had neurosurgery at age 18, and the BPD, which at the time was thought to be depression, got significantly worse when the lamotrigine dosage started to be reduced (at the time I was on 450mg/day). My BPD was not solved by Lamotrigine. I also take 250mg of Sertraline, sleeping meds, and have been through two years of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and ten years of therapists/specialists. I also live in Europe, so the meds are free :) I guess what I'm trying to say is that Lamotrigine is not some wonder drug. For some, it can certainly feel like it, but Lamictal/Lamotrigine is not a 'cure' for BPD. Therapy (coupled with medication) is."
- anon
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- March 18, 2022
"Was on lamotrigine for 8 years for Borderline Personality Disorder BPD symptoms. Was on 400mg per day. Didn’t do anything, no idea why I stayed on it for so long. I’m having MUCH better results with lithium."
Frequently asked questions
- Is it better to take lamotrigine at night?
- What should I do if I develop a rash while taking lamotrigine?
- If you are taking lamotrigine how long does it take to get out of your system?
- Anony...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 5, 2020
"Horrendous. Only started on 25mg. Half hour of taking felt snappy , teary, so low . Day to move up doze couldn’t. Have very bad anxiety not really depression . This made me suicidal Rang crisis team. Wanted to be sectioned. Stopped taking it felt different person day after. This is RARE. I was on it two weeks in total. I wish it had worked for me. So many success stories. Don’t be deterred we are all different. Diazepam is only thing that works for me & doctors will not prescribe ! So frustrating ,only take in emergency’s too"
- Kapg
- January 21, 2018
"I've been on this for a few months. I was slowly titrated up to 200 mg taken nightly. It has done nothing but given me a rash, nausea, and just a general icky feeling. I cut my dose back to 100mg..still not helping. I'm now supposed to slowly go off in the next month. I don't have a month to deal with horrible withdrawal migraines and nausea. I'm considering going off cold turkey after a couple more days of 50 mg."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Elle
- December 13, 2020
"I am diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I am also on Wellbutrin (after failed attempts with Prozac and Lexapro), Buspar, and Seroquel. I was started on lamotrigine 25mg & was gradually increasing. 1 week into being on 50mg, I developed a rash in the back of the roof of my mouth and a very sore throat. After freaking out, I found out this could have been from Lamictal? I stopped the Lamictal and within 2 days my throat was totally cleared up, however still a bit sore. Thoroughout my time on Lamictal, I have felt increasingly worse. My body hurts and is tired, I feel flat and emotionless, and am in a weird and constant state of pain. I get exhausted just taking a shower. Lamictal has increased my anxiety- I have episodes where I can’t breathe, my heart is pounding, and I feel like it is the end (like a panic attack but more intense) These episodes happen frequently, almost every day. They are getting worse and more frequent."
- Nemo
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 21, 2021
"I titrated up to 100mg lamotrigine and had no effect for my borderline personality disorder. Next to 150mg and finally 200mg. I still had no effect. Maybe this will work for your BPD, but it didn’t for me. We’re all in the same medication fiasco at the beginning. Hopefully the next med helps out."
- Jane
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- September 9, 2021
"First medication I ever took drove me even more crazy. Worsened my intrusive thoughts and impulse control issues. Dissociated constantly and had facial muscle movement issues. Was eventually taken off after 8 months. Worked up to 200mg lamotrigine slowly. I felt no concept of time or the fact I'd face issues for my impulsivity. It basically made me like a zombie."
- mishni
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 16, 2023
"I suffer from emetophobia and get nausea or vomiting from this medication. If you can, try to get Ondansetron or another anti-emetic or even Pepto to help. If you can make it from the initial dose of 25mg to 50mg, then you are off to a great start. Going from 50mg to 100mg was scary for me and I was going to go to 75mg instead so I followed the doctor's orders and took the 100mg. It caused only dizziness and insomnia. I am about 3-4 weeks on 100mg and feel pretty good. I still react poorly to triggers, but I have less anxiety overall and can face more things. I've also been cutting out buspirone at the same time and this time with lamotrigine I don't have withdrawals as I did previously when I tapered buspirone. I am looking forward to moving up in dose. Again, if you are afraid of the nausea or potential vomiting, try it anyway and see if it works for you because I feel great now."
- Js764
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 22, 2021
"About 4 months ago started my BPDBorderline Personality Disorder treatment using lamictal. Got up to 75mg and have been on that for some time. I have definitely noticed a change in specifically my suicidality and mood swings, which has been great help in my day to day functions and outlook on life. Unfortunately I am also experiencing some of the side affects, such as spots, drowsiness, and -most intensely/recently- nausea. The nausea has caused me to have a tough time meeting any real nutritional needs during my day, which is especially troublesome for a co-occurring ED, but I am working with it the best I can because in my mind, the positives are outweighing the negatives. The spots scared me because I thought it was a rash, but ended up just going away. Nausea/loss of appetite has really been the only impactful side effect I’ve had."
- Susan...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 27, 2021
"I was prescribed this lamotrigine for BPD I also have partial complex seizures due to a TBI. I took Lamotrigine twice. I experienced extreme anxiety and hallucinations. So bad I went to the ER. The Dr who prescribed this to me told me this would replace my antidepressants and anti seizure medications"
- saved...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 8, 2024
"Lamictal has helped me stay in control of my emotions, reducing splitting and harsh reactions to conflicts. The urge for self-harm has lessened. Highly recommend for anyone seeking stability."
- None
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- December 30, 2019
"I am extreme BPD (borderline personality disorder). I take Lamotrigine as 200 mg as a split dose. This drug is a lifesaver. Finely allowed me to exit the Rollercoaster."
- Ziaul...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 17, 2019
"Really I can say lamotrigrine is a life saver for borderline personality disorder. thx to those who made this drug"
- Jess
- November 19, 2015
"I was diagnosed with BPD and PTSD about three years ago. I have tried a number of medications and nothing has been as good as lamotrigine."
- Lishy
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- September 20, 2021
"I do not feel any different, still angry, still impulsive, still over thinking"
- Mitzi
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 18, 2024
"Has absolutely reduced my symptoms with zero side effects. Changed my life."
- Ana
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- December 18, 2022
"It is reducing anxiety, I have few "mood swings" and I feel calm"
- Marie
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 12, 2024
"It changed my life. I do not live in drama anymore and I can have a life now."
- Blueb...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 25, 2018
"Helped the depression a bit (only took the edge off). No improvement on anxiety, still flying off the handle in bouts of rage, and impulsive behaviour has increased 10 fold. Useless really"
- Skky
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 19, 2023
"All positive. It helps a lot. I started on a low dose but it's been increased and it's helping a lot more now than before."
- Insec...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- August 28, 2016
"it's helpes me lots I'm currently on 300mg"
- BGano
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- July 21, 2021
"10/10 saved my life completely, gave me the stability to reclaim my life!!!!"
- Jenifer
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 14, 2021
"Seems to really help in conjunction with DBT. I take it every night."
- J dog
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 9, 2021
"This medication saved my life!!! I’m a whole different person now."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Lamictal, Lamictal XR, Lamictal ODT, Lamictal CD, Subvenite
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Other brands
Lamictal, Lamictal XR, Subvenite
"This was the first medication I was put on after my BPD diagnosis. It felt awesome not having a care in the world towards things that would typically panic me and send me into an episode. Unfortunately, I removed myself from the medication once I realized that all of the symptoms that I was experiencing were the severe side effects of lamotrigine. I had everything but the rash. If I had stayed on it any longer, it would have killed me."