Lamotrigine for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)

• Pat...
• June 6, 2017

"I never write reviews, but this time I had to. I am 24 years old and have had depression since I was in fifth grade. It was manageable up until I graduated high school. When I started working and taking on more responsibilities, I started getting depression really bad, to the point I cannot handle anything anymore. I tried Venlafaxine for 5 years. It worked well on the mood and the depression, but as it went on, the side effects kept getting worse and worse, which made me stop taking it. Terrible withdrawal. I then took mirtazapine for 6 months, it didn't work. Now I am taking lamotrigine at 100 mg (after upping slowly). It took about two months, I have never felt this good in a long time! No more worrying, no more depression! I highly recommend this!!!"

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2015

"I have been on various antidepressants since my late teens. Everything from fluoxetine, citalopram, clomipramine, and in a full breakdown, a combination of mirtazapine and Effexor. It was this last one that took me sky-high, and so I stopped, also due to a 30 kg weight gain. After a couple of months, I was suicidal, and because I was diagnosed with bipolar, since the mania on the antidepressants, I was recommended to go on to a cocktail of quetiapine, Depakote, and lithium. No way was I taking that with the side effects and the horror stories about weight gain, as I've lost the 30 kg in weight I put on. Lamotrigine I heard was the only one for helping without the weight gain, so I gave it a go. It took about 2 months, but it works a treat now on 300 mg."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

"Really, really bad experience. After two months being on it, I started experiencing crazy side effects. Never been so sick in my life. Sore throat, dry red eyes, dry mouth, muscle pain, muscle spasms, disorientation, neck pain, back pain, lost 12 kg, no sex drive, burning sensation on the skin, tiredness, insomnia, vivid dreams, hard to breathe, chest pain, flu-like symptoms, confusion, memory loss, constant nausea, vomiting, fatigue, constant headache. Really bad, bad drug. I will never take any other drug again."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2024

"I was diagnosed with depression about 8 years ago. Over the years, I've failed Lexapro, Prozac, Trintellix, Cymbalta, Fetzima, Rexulti, Vraylar, Pristiq, and Wellbutrin. Pristiq with Wellbutrin helped for a period of time. Vraylar also helped, but the severe fatigue was not tolerable for me. I did my research and found anecdotal evidence that Lamotrigine, off-label, was great for treatment-resistant depression. I decided to take a chance and ask my doctor. At 25mg, I didn't notice too much, some improvement in mood. At 50mg, I noticed a big change in my mood, my outlook on life, my ability to get things done, a sense of happiness. A feeling I was never sure I'd feel again. Currently at 100mg plus Pristiq, and I couldn't be happier with the results I've had. This medication has lifted that constant daily depressive outlook on life. Just 1 month in, and hopefully it continues."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2019

"Lamotrigine returned peace to my spirit; what a relief! Prozac, lithium, Paxil, and the dreaded benzodiazepine Xanax (benzos are pure poison, avoid them at all costs) didn't work very well over 35 years, and life was hard. Life continues to be taxing; however, I now laugh spontaneously again, and racing thoughts are well controlled. It's worth the risk of adverse side effects, of which I had none."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2016

"After 10 years of having nearly every SSRI and SNRI work and then fail, I developed serotonin syndrome on a cocktail of both. I was so afraid to try any antidepressant...but my depression became life-threatening. I'm on only 50 mg of Lamictal (going slow!) for a month...and I am becoming cheerful! Amazing. I do have a slight facial rash I'm carefully watching. No other side effects."

• Sha...
• March 23, 2017

"I was very hesitant about adding any new medication to my relatively mild SSRI and Klonopin regimen, but despite this combo, my depressive symptoms not only persisted but grew more intense during active phases. I say 'active' meaning 'severely more depressed than usual.' I always felt depressed, but every few months, I would fall into a debilitating state where I could barely function, couldn't leave the house, cried all the time, just hated myself, and it got to the point that getting up and showering felt overwhelming. I started Lamictal, felt nothing at first, but after 8 days, I literally snapped out of it. I felt normal and hopeful for the first time ever. I would definitely give this a chance if your doctor feels it is a good choice."

• tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2020

"Everyone will have a different reaction to this, or any medicine, but for me, lamotrigine really worsened my depression. I felt emotionally unstable, and it was giving me bipolar symptoms of feeling like I had excess energy, which I never had before. I feel much better now after discontinuing it."

• Haa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2024

"This medication pulled me out of the darkest hole I've ever been in. I can't believe how much better I feel! Friends and family have all commented on how they feel they have the real me 'back.' This has been a miracle drug for me."

• Ste...
• August 11, 2016

"I've battled depression for 10 years plus I'm on 40 mg Citalopram and have been on this for 8 years. Two years ago, I was put on quetiapine, brilliant results but horrid side effects. Then my consultant put me on 300 mg (slowly increased) lamotrigine, same result and no side effects. I noticed results within the first week, and progression carried on for a good while. I feel a normal member of the human race again. I still have little episodes, but they are manageable. I am very happy with this drug, it's changed me for the better."

• Kad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2023

"I was on antidepressants for a long time for major depressive disorder, and something always felt a little off—like I could feel like the turning point for feeling normal again was just out of reach. After a total meltdown, I was put on Lamictal as a mood stabilizer, and it changed my life. It lifted enough of the debilitating fog for me to be able to really work in therapy and connect with my own mental health recovery."

• Ari...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2019

"Lamotrigine is my miracle drug. I’ve dealt with severe depression since 15, had a bit of remission, but when it came back full force in my early 20s, nothing would help. HIGH-dose Zoloft, Effexor, Seroquel, Lexapro... I react quickly to drugs. I had hit a new low, then started Effexor and I knew in two weeks, but it was almost immediate for me, I started to feel better. Suicidal thoughts slowly started to fade, less spending all day in despair, less sleeping, less crying. I still have to augment with Wellbutrin, Xanax, and Prazosin, but Lamotrigine was what flipped the first switch."

• Vib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2017

"Wow, what a difference. I've tried 4 SSRIs, 1 SNRI, Wellbutrin (made me irritable and couldn't sleep), Viibryd, different ADHD stimulants, and the list goes on. Currently, I'm on sertraline (Zoloft generic) 100 mg, and it was working out okay, but I still struggled with my temper and depression. After 5 weeks, I'm finally on lamotrigine (Lamictal generic) IR 100 mg once a day. It took 3 days after I started the 100 mg to notice a big difference in my behavior. Side effects you might notice while starting it are dizziness (minor), slight sedation or tiredness, and depression. My depression is now gone. I believe it was my brain adjusting to this miracle of a medication."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2017

"Looking back, I think I've had anxiety and depression most of my life. When I started to have mood swings and also feel like crying almost every day, I finally decided to seek treatment. This was about 5 years ago. The generics for Wellbutrin and Lexapro helped, but I still had many times when I was depressed and somewhat suicidal. My psychiatrist tried prescribing several add-on meds, but either they weren't effective or caused side effects like weight gain. I am now on 100 mg of lamotrigine, and I don't think I've ever felt better! I am cheerful, motivated, and feel like myself, without anxiety or depression. The only side effect is that I sometimes feel itchy on my scalp, arms, or legs. No rash."

• Nad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2024

"After trying several antidepressants that didn't work, Lamictal really helped with my depression. I would still get somewhat depressed at times, but overall it made me happy. I took 300mg along with 80mg Prozac. No side effects from Lamictal. Don't give up! You will find what works for you!"

• hou...
• June 5, 2017

"So far, at a dosage of 200 mg/day, this medication has turned my life around. Although I haven't been diagnosed bipolar, it has been enormously helpful and has destroyed my depression and anxiety. It took a while to increase the dose, but it was 100% worth the wait!"

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2013

"If you suffer from depression, this might be a medicine to take. It's very helpful in controlling your symptoms. I've had depression symptoms for a while but never did a thing about it. I finally did, through my primary doctor, refer to pain management, and they refer me to see a psychologist."

• RJS...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 16, 2022

"I have suffered from treatment-resistant major depression for many years. The drug that helped more than any other is Lamictal. It is a lifesaver. I use a total of 300 mg/day. I have noticed no side effects."

• BOA...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2018

"On it for 2 years already. So far, so good. Currently at 100 mg daily. I've tried every antidepressant, antipsychotic, antieverything available with no use at all. Took Prozac for 10 years, which was so-so for my depression. This one really makes a difference in my day-to-day. Only side effects: some vision impairment and some shoulder pain that comes and goes (but it could be caused by some personal issues that I am going through now). Anyhow, this medicine is one of the two that really showed me what it is to not feel depressed (the other one is Lyrica, which sadly is the fastest way to weight gain). BTW, one thing I know for sure is that any of the SSRIs available (for example, Lexapro) just block your emotions, good and bad. For me, a price that I discovered is pretty high to pay. Peace!!!"

• kel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 10, 2018

"I feel Lamictal has made a big difference in my depression and mood swings. My twin sister takes it too for borderline personality disorder, and she says it helps her impulsivity and mood swings as well. I also have an erratic mood and notice a difference on this drug. I'd say it mostly helps with depression, though. I went from sleeping all the time and feeling numb to having some feeling again."

• Giv...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2016

"I was started on this med for depression from having no life from getting moderate-severe chronic fatigue syndrome. I can't say this has given my life back or anything, but it's the only thing that helps with my energy without causing flares like stimulants do. Caffeine is like taking out a loan I have to pay back with interest, if it helps at all. This is the only thing I've found that helps my baseline. I take 150 mg a day in the morning. Many people find this sedating, but to me, it's the opposite. In fact, I can't consistently take any more than 150 because it ups my anxiety at 200 mg and above. I'm still disabled, but this is the only thing I've found that bumps my baseline up (and I've tried every supplement and med imaginable)."

• Zoe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 21, 2022

"Antidepressants stopped my crying, but I still had no interest in activities and did not smile. I was once an outgoing, positive person. The doctor put me on paroxetine and lamotrigine. I also have an anxiety disorder and had been previously prescribed clonazepam. The lamotrigine gave me my life back. I truly felt happy, went back to being an outgoing person, became interested in decorating, crafts, etc. I went back to church and reconnected. My faith never faltered, I had just been too down to participate in activities."

• Can...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 5, 2019

"I’ve been on Lamictal for 5 years at 200 mg. I still have severe depression and cry almost every day. I have a lot going on in my life, so maybe that’s why nothing is working. I am also on 10 mg of Lexapro, still depressed, hard to get out of bed and going in the morning. I look forward to sleep so I don’t have to think about anything. I feel like all the meds I’ve tried either don’t work or make me gain a ton of weight. If I knew Lamictal had these awful side effects, including depression, I would have never started it. I’m going to try and wean off of it slowly."

• Awa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 16, 2016

"I am currently being treated for depression after a series of unfortunate events happened in my life. I've tried a couple of other medications, but this is the only one that has continuously worked. There are a few side effects: dry mouth and heightened anxiety, but compared to what I was going through, I will take the side effects any day. My advice: give it a try. You can always change the dose and medication."

• Can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2017

"After reading so many positive reviews on this site, I decided to try Lamotrigine. I found it to be the most effective long-term drug for depression and mood stability. Having tried antidepressants and most mood stabilizers, this was the best drug for me. It does not make me tired or drugged up - just substantially reduces depression. Reduces overall depression, SI, obsessions, and anxiety. Slowly went to 200 mg/day as I couldn't feel much difference at 100. I had to switch to the brand name as the generic was giving me stomach problems. Otherwise, no side effects."