Lamictal and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• TON...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 10, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have tried and failed every medication out there!! I just could not tolerate the side effects and weight gain. I came very close to suicide, and I finally got on Lamictal. What a difference!! I am finally not having the mania keeping me up for days and the severe depression of constantly writing suicide letters. I am also on Klonopin. I had to go off my meds during my pregnancy, and my husband said 'I will never get you pregnant again!!!' That is how much better I am on the medication. My dose is 300 mg split twice daily. I had gastric bypass as well, and I am tolerating it the same as I was before. I have been on Lamictal for 8 years. I wanted to share my experience so that I might touch someone's life and make a difference!"

• Aut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Lamictal for about nine months now. It is literally the THE BEST BIPOLAR MEDICATION I have come across. Right before going on Lamictal, I was on the Abilify injection, and although it kept me stable, it gave me a horrible side effect called Tardive Dyskinesia, which for me showed up as uncontrollable mouth movements. My doctor recommended Lamictal after telling him my concern with the Tardive Dyskinesia. He first kept me on the Abilify and started on low dosages of Lamictal so that I can slowly ease into the new drug. If I remember correctly, he started me on 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 100mg, then finally 200mg, which is what I am on now. I believe I have been on 200mg since about February of 2019. I don’t feel any weight gain, which I was very afraid of, although I don’t think it is one of the side effects of the drug. Please, please consider this drug for stabilizing your mood for bipolar, you won’t regret it! :)"

• kim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 8, 2013

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "Been on Lamictal for about 5 years after many years of antidepressants and anxiety medicines. About 6 years ago, after a very traumatic experience with losing my boys and husband, nothing worked anymore. I started having stress-induced seizures, some very serious! They put me on Lamictal and my periods of mania and mind racing slowly stopped, my restless legs syndrome went away. I actually started to feel and not be a robot. Side effects for me are drowsiness and slight weight gain (8 lbs). I'd gain any amount to feel normal. One very important fact to remember is dosage! Everyone has different amounts that work, and don't ever skip or adjust dosage on your own! I did it and paid the price. Hope this helps! I feel grateful to my doctor for prescribing."

• Doe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "It worked well, but over the course of 1.5 years, I had hair loss on my head, and even body hair was not growing back. My tests came back indicating minor hyperthyroidism, and I had constant constipation and gas. I gained a lot of weight too, which is weird. It turned out the Lamictal was causing problems with my biotin and vitamin B intake. After talking to my psychiatrist and stopping Lamictal, and taking biotin supplements, I could finally pass stool easily, and slowly my hair grew back... though I sort of missed my leg and underarm hair not growing. My weight and TSH level went back to normal after a few months too. Overall, it worked, but the side effects weren't good for me. So again, it helped me a lot, but"

• ksh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I've seen a psychiatrist and a therapist for years. Over a 12-year span, I've probably tried 20-30 drugs. This medication is the first to make me feel human again. I'm not a zombie and I'm not lacking emotion. I'm genuinely happy and thriving. I'm so happy I finally found this medication. I've also not had weight gain, I've actually lost some weight."

• Kat...
• October 29, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Before I started taking Lamictal for schizoaffective disorder, I couldn’t string a thought together and had started hallucinating, often seeing spiders crawling up the walls just out of the corner of my eyes and other nasty things that weren’t there. Been on Lamictal (Lamotrigine) for almost five years now after gradually increasing the dose to 300 mg. No weight gain, no excessive sleep, or any other side effects I can notice. I have actually had a good weight loss since my last increase to 300 mg. Don’t know if the two are related, but I had been very overweight. I would recommend working with your doctor to get to the correct dosage and the correct side meds, I take it with Latuda since it was not as effective for me at lower doses. I have stopped having hallucinations and have had very few manic episodes since I started Lamictal and really feel for most people it would be a very good choice."

• Kir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I started on Lamictal after having manic episodes on Zoloft as well as Wellbutrin. I was a heavy cigarette and marijuana smoker. In the first couple of weeks of starting Lamictal, I was able to quit smoking weed and cigarettes! I didn't have insomnia as I previously did when trying to quit marijuana. My mood was much improved. I had been suicidal before, and I started exercising again on Lamictal. I developed an unknown rash about 2 years into Lamictal and stopped immediately. The rash disappeared. It looked like 8 mosquito bites all over my legs. I was forced to try Abilify, which made me gain over 40 pounds and take naps during the day. Today, I have started back on Lamictal and am back on track with exercising and enjoying life."

• Imo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've suffered from depression and anxiety since I was a teen, made worse after the birth of my child. I tried various antidepressants, which had the usual side effects of headaches, sluggishness, low libido, and weight gain. One was a total disaster and triggered a hypomanic episode. I've spent three years medication-free, with no manic episodes but still struggling with depression. Three weeks ago, I started Lamictal. I know it's early days to call it a win, but I immediately felt better. The volume on that horrible self-talk has been muted, I feel positive and optimistic. No headaches, no loss of libido, and it is weight neutral. I have noticed a few side effects - the first week my skin was very itchy, and I'm losing more hair than usual. Hope this subsides."

• Rae...
• August 16, 2013

For Seizure Prevention "It will be 10 years in October that I've been taking Lamictal. I've been seizure-free that long as well. I take 200 mg at night and 200 mg in the morning. I too experience memory loss and concentration issues. I feel as though my eyes don't move normally. Since my dosage was upped, I find myself in slow motion. I also notice that I have a form of dyslexia. Example: putting on my windshield wipers instead of my blinkers. Another example is: when I'm speaking, I might say into my sentence what I'm looking at. Talk about making me feel stupid! I must add that I also take Zonogram, which was causing me other side effects like depression and suicidal thoughts. After doctors lowered the Zonogram dose, depression and suicidal thoughts were gone, but I gained weight."

• chr...
• April 1, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Lamictal for the last 2 years, it's amazing and life-changing! Very little side effects, besides weight gain for a lack of words, losing weight seems to be impossible for me, and I work out 5 days a week, so for that reason, I'm looking to see what else is out there. If by chance you are reading this and looking for something to help, this is IT! Really!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal has changed my life. I was diagnosed bipolar 20 years ago and have never been 100% happy with my meds. Although I was functioning, I was always battling weight gain, lack of motivation, binge eating (due to antipsychotics), had a terrible episode (manic then severe depression after), was given Lamictal to take. My life has turned around. I’ve been able to lower my 2 other meds. I’ve gone from obese to a normal weight. I read about this happening with others and thought that will never happen to me, but it did. It truly is an antidepressant to me (I still take a lower dose of Seroquel as well). I don’t know if Lamictal would be strong enough alone, I don’t want to find out either, as I’m finally happy on my mix of meds. The weight loss is because I finally can eat a healthy diet and have the motivation to go walking and go shopping to buy proper food. Side effects are mild, kind of makes you more “ditsy” and a bit forgetful. But that’s it."

• kee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this for Bipolar II and was told it would control my mania. It worsened my mania terribly. My personality changed, I acted like a crazy person and gained a lot of weight. I'm weaned off now and feeling better than I have in years. Be aware that the NICE guidelines say this medicine 'does not control mania.'"

• Lee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 31, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Taken this med for years. Age 15-18 then on and off a bit. Then the last three years very consistently. Did I think it helped? At first, sure. Every time at first, I thought I felt relief. Calmer, less angry. However, my bones hurt, joints hurt, mad migraines… weight gain, horrid sudden depression I had never had before - I dealt with it. I recently stopped taking this medication - the first time I stopped, I got VERY sick. Very sick. So I restarted. I can’t keep going on this medication. I have no motivation. Horrid memory loss. Horrid stomach pains and joint pains. So I stopped. I already feel more energy - less suicidal - this med ruined my life … coming off has been so amazing. As a person who's been on this long term - it’s not worth it for me. I’m ready to enjoy some form of life again. It’ll feel so subtle - the loss of yourself to this drug."

• Mee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 30, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on Lamictal for 14 years now. Firstly, I got valproic acid — it was okay but my liver profile was getting steep, and I experienced weight gain. Then my psychiatrist switched me to Lamictal, and it’s been good all the time. The downside? Not that much compares to how much it stabilizes my life (even through several life-changing moments)."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "I switched from Abilify (10) to Lamictal (20 mg), and I have been consistently taking the medication for 9 months. I switched due to weight gain on Abilify. Lamictal side effects have not been noticeable for me. (I mean, my heart rate is always over 100 bpm now, but what do I know?) What has been noticeable is a complete loss of my personality and emotions. I haven’t felt anything for months. It all came to a head when I just couldn’t take it anymore and skipped a dose. It’s like everything has color again. I laughed, cried, and everything in between. I wish I didn’t ever start taking anything for mood disorders or depression. But I took another dose. Anyway, I’m so happy for those it has helped, but for me, it has done the opposite. In its defense, my husband said I’ve never seemed more stable. I'm sure he’s right. But when everything tastes like oatmeal and the only color is gray, you almost forget what life is about. But hey, at least I don’t think about suicide."

• Jub...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 7, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been taking Lamictal for years now and can say it really does stabilize my mood and helps with the depression side of my illness. I take it with Prolixin, also known as fluphenazine. This combination of these two drugs has worked the best for me for my schizoaffective disorder, and believe me, I've been on lots. The weight gain hasn't been bad either compared to Geodon, which caused me to crave carbs and gain. Drugs do make me sleepy."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2010

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medicine has helped me be more normal. I'm not unstable at all unless I skip my medicines, and I'm even in university, although it's very hard on me. When I take my Lamictal, if I did an all-nighter, I go straight to bed and miss class, so it does make you tired, but I wouldn't recommend missing your medication for more than one night. Lamictal really helped me lead a normal life, though. It's a great mood stabilizer and helped me have no relapses at all. I'm on Risperdal, Paxil, Lamictal, and Geodon right now, but trying to get off Paxil and Risperdal completely because it's made me gain a lot of weight."

• Gay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2017

For Seizure Prevention "I've been on Lamictal for 1 year for seizure prevention/mood swings. I gained weight, have a dry mouth, and insomnia. I told my neurologist I wanted to come off seizure meds as I haven't had a seizure for 5 years, he said no because the next seizure I have may be fatal! Great bedside manner! Now I have to live with side effects as I'm scared to come off Lamictal."

• Ali...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "After my diagnosis, the first trial of medication I was prescribed was Lamictal, and shortly after, Seroquel. Being 18 at the time, I didn't take it seriously enough at the time, so I didn't take my medication as I was supposed to. I went through 8 trials since that time (9 years). Antipsychotics made me gain tons of weight, so I took myself off all the ones I had been given trials of. Antidepressants made the condition noticeably much, much worse (I don't recommend them for bipolar patients). In 2016, I began to take my bipolar seriously, and 2 years later, I have never been in a better place. It doesn't help every aspect of BP1, but the duration of time between episodes is so much longer, as well as the severity of the mania or depression being much less intense. No negative side effects, either. Regardless of the episodes I inevitably get, this medication saved my life."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "A little over 3 or 4 months ago, I wrote a review on this drug, which I take for borderline personality disorder. I gave it a 10/10, however, some things have changed my opinion on Lamictal. First off, I think this is actually a great drug for mood stabilizing. I can’t remember the last time I lashed out or had a breakdown since I started taking this drug. I would say it works much better than antidepressants for me. However, I started breaking out with acne everywhere. Given that I’ve had very clear skin, this was a big problem for me. I think this can be easily treated, so that’s why I am not rating it lower. Another thing is that taking oral birth control with this drug is pointless since it reduces the birth control effectiveness. On the flip side, I have no experience of weight gain. Actually, I’ve lost about 8 lbs since I’ve been on this drug. I’m not sure if that’s the drug or if it’s that I’ve changed my lifestyle (which is probably what it is), but the main thing is that the drug has not caused weight gain."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "This is a great medicine. Many people don't know about using it as an alternative to SSRIs for mood stabilization, depression, and bipolar disorder. I've been on it for 1 year. The biggest benefits of this medicine are that it stabilizes my mood without feeling weird (fake, plastic, hyper) with very few side effects. The sexual side effects and weight gain I experienced on Prozac, and the restlessness and irritability of Celexa and Wellbutrin, just don't occur for me on this medicine. The drawback for me has been a narrowing of my emotional bandwidth. I rarely feel spontaneous excitement or joy. This may be partly because of life circumstances, but I'm certain that this medicine is also playing a role here. High anxiety may not be related to this medicine."

• Anonymous
• February 20, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal works great, but the side effect for me is weight gain. I have been using it for two years. To counteract the weight gain, I was put on Prozac. It helped to lose the weight, but other side effects caused me to discontinue it."

• Bip...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Lamictal 3 years ago. I have class 2 bipolar disorder. Before the Lamictal, I have always had doctors (since I was 16, I'm now 27) tell me I was depressed. But with the Zoloft and Prozac, I would go into extreme manic states and clean my floors for 6 hours, spend all my money on crap, cry uncontrollably, or even get violent. I was like that already, just worse on those medicines. Finally, seeing another doctor trying to find help, he put me on Lamictal. Small dose at first, and now I'm on 400mg/day. I have gained weight, 15 pounds, and have been on a diet for a year and see a personal trainer. Absolutely cannot lose weight. I still have all of my same bipolar symptoms, but they are not uncontrollable now. I am on lithium 200mg/day."

• bip...
• November 7, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I am very satisfied taking Lamictal 100 mg daily. For the last two years, from my most recent manic attack, I have not experienced any bad side effects from the pill. Unlike Depakote and Seroquel, it gave me a massive weight gain. Lamictal is good for people if you are not getting any rashes. I give this drug a rating of 9 for its efficacy."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Saved my life. Went on it after my first (and hopefully last) week-long hospitalization for suicidal ideation. I felt different my whole life, now I’m 27 and have been on it 9 months, and feel “normal.” I still have ups and downs, but I am so even and able to cope. I met my boyfriend, am holding down a job, getting A's in grad school… all things I could not do 1 year ago. Don’t give up. It can get better. I take 100 mg twice per day. Slight weight gain, but I would take that any day if it means avoiding bipolar depression and hypomanic episodes."