Lamotrigine and Headaches: What Users Say

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Anxiety "I was put on this for severe anxiety 6 weeks ago, and it has given me my life back! I can now go to public places without having a breakdown, and my family has noticed a huge difference. I’m taking better care of myself and have the energy and desire to walk again. The only downfall is you have to titrate up slowly, so you can get discouraged at first thinking it isn’t working. I’m now on 200mg, and it’s been a game-changer. Don’t give up on this medicine as it is a miracle worker. The only side effects I’ve had are a runny nose and headaches when starting it, but I’d take that any day over the crippling anxiety I once had."

• kun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2020

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I did quite well on Lamictal for my bipolar on 150mg. Upon reaching 200mg, I had unbearable anxiety, constant panic attacks, headaches, horrible nausea, and vomiting. I would recommend easing up gradually and staying at a lower dose if possible."

• Bp2...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 12, 2020

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "Lamictal has singularly saved my life. I have BP 2 with rapid cycling with my dominant problem as depression. I would have hypo episodes but fewer than depressive episodes. First week on Lamictal I had a bit of a dull headache but that is it. Within a week the heaviness of depression was lifting. Now, 10 years later, I have zero headaches from it and zero side effects. Maybe I am a little less empathetic but I love this med. I have zero depression with maybe 1-2 brief episodes of depression per year. It never lasts and when one starts, I may cry and feel really down, but I feel it kick in and stop the endless spiral. I love this med."

• Reb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 22, 2019

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have taken many different medications and this is the best and cleanest mood stabilizer. I was on 200mg. I do recommend it to people who are manic and unstable. It will help you get back on your feet and function in life. You will likely notice your mood is flatlined, but if your life is in the dumps then having a flatlined emotion is worth it. You will not get upset over things that made you upset in the past. Disclaimer: It gave me some short term memory loss, and pounding headaches with hazy vision if I did not take the medicine at the same time every day. Be careful with alcohol because the hangovers are extreme on this medication."

• tig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2014

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I've gone from 25, 50, 75, 100 and been on 200mg a day for 4 weeks now. I've been on lithium, Seroquel, Seroquel XR, and could not handle the side effects of all. Lamictal has been magic. I can feel the change completely, I just feel like everything is a little 'slower' and that I'm not racing all the time. Bipolar 2. Best medication I have been on by far and can honestly say that this is one I plan to stick to. The side effects were small but there, dizziness when standing, headache, and a little nausea for the first 6 weeks on and off but nothing compared to the emotions of bipolar."

• War...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2021

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have Bipolar Disorder type 2 and when the Pandemic hit my moods became completely unmanageable, especially my anxiety. I had not been on medication for about 4 years which if you have Bipolar disorder can be very dangerous territory. The racing thoughts, the angry outbursts, the never-ending panic attacks, crying outbursts, the mania... it was awful. I ended up having to be hospitalized. I am not someone who is good at taking medicine, I catastrophize and make myself suffer unnecessarily. I finally gave in while at the hospital and started Lamictal 25mg twice daily and I'm thankful I did. Within the first 2 days my panic attacks eased, my racing thoughts quieted, and I wasn't crying so much. It does make me tired and gave me headaches for about a week, but both are manageable and have lessened. I have had only 1 panic attack since starting Lamictal and it was much less severe than without. This medication works for me."

• Hea...
• January 13, 2014

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking 300mg of Lamotrigine each day for about 3 years. When I first took it, it made me feel sick and anxious and gave me headaches, but after following some simple advice from my psychiatrist I now don't get any side effects at all!! He told me to increase the dose slowly (25mg per week) and to always eat when I take the tablets. I've found this medication very effective as an antidepressant but not effective at controlling mania/hypomania. Despite this, I still rate it very highly because it is so much more bearable than any other psychiatric medication that I've taken in the past."

• MS2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2024

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Lamotrigine has been a game changer for me. After pretty severe abuse in 2017, I was left with constant anxiety and CPTSD. I never took meds until this year, when a second event of abuse by a different person left me suffering with BPD symptoms. This whole past year, I struggled with intense paranoia around people’s intentions and people’s actions/thoughts, rejection sensitivity, splitting, and negativity. I started taking Lamictal on March 2 of 2024 and started on the lowest dose as I also developed severe depression from the BPD and trauma I had developed. Like I wanted to die. And my mind would not stop playing awful scenarios in my head, constantly looping my past and past mistakes in my mind. Ever since starting Lamictal, my thoughts have quieted down. My psychosis-like paranoia and delusions around other people are gone. (I have delusions of people out to get me, in turn, they make me really angry and nasty). If you are considering this, give it a go. Live, laugh, Lamictal!"

• Org...
• February 22, 2016

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I was very tearful when my doctor prescribed Lamictal because I had only been on SSRI medications in the past (they really messed me up and I was hospitalized). My doctor prescribed me Lamictal at 25mg for 2 weeks, then 50mg for another 2 weeks, with maintenance at 100mg after that. I was tearful because I was terrified to relive what had happened before. Much to my surprise, Lamictal is what I consider my 'life saver'. I feel my moods have been maintained and balanced since beginning this medication. I have not experienced any weight gain at all, only headaches from time to time. My libido has actually increased, and I read that this medication can affect the menstrual cycle (which it has for me, has made them lighter!). I love Lamictal!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 12, 2014

Lamotrigine for Seizure Prevention "I have been on this medication for a little under a year. I will say that I have not had a seizure since I started taking the medication. Unfortunately, there are a lot of side effects with this medication: dizziness, vision problems, and headaches. I think my dosage may be too high, but my neurologist refuses to lower it because of its outcome thus far. I have tried to learn to deal with the side effects. I do not think that they will ever go away, but I guess I can just be happy being seizure-free. I was on Trileptal before and was having seizures every time I was stressed about something. Overall, the medication has given me back control!"

• cs2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2013

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I've only been on Lamictal for 3 days, so I really can't give a full review, however, today is Sunday, and I took my first pill Fri before bed. I woke up Sat morning and laid there for a good ten minutes thinking 'Something is weird.' I realized that my mind was calm. For as long as I can remember, I've constantly had running thoughts and was always thinking of multiple things at a time. I can now think straight thoughts, I'm able to think a good amount clearer, and because of it, my stress has been a lot lower. I'm taking 25mg for Bipolar Disorder 2 and will write a new review as things develop. I haven't seen any change in my moods, but I've only just started. I've had a few dull headaches but no other side effects so far."

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

For Depression "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."

• Bbe...
• October 6, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and was prescribed Lamictal to stabilize my moods. I was having explosive reactions on a daily basis and morning depression. Today I wake up feeling content and happy. My mood episodes have greatly subsided and I feel like I can handle frustration a lot better. Also, my relationship with my boyfriend has improved because of much less fighting and explosions on him. This medication is very helpful. Only side effect was some headaches and diarrhea."

• anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2022

For Anxiety "I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at work as I had discontinued my antidepressants (with permission of my prescriber) for over 6 months. I really didn't want to go back to the same prescriber, so I opted for an app service. They prescribed lamotrigine as a mood stabilizer. The first two days on this medication, I felt worse than I had ever felt in my life. Suicidal thoughts just popped out of nowhere. It was really scary. I felt so depressed, in emotional pain, and hopeless. I couldn't sleep. If I slept, I had vivid dreams and night sweats. I told the prescriber, and they said side effects should wean in 5 days. So, I continued taking lamotrigine for about a month. The suicidal thoughts kind of went away, and the impending doom feeling in the pit of my stomach got better. However, I had horrible headaches, vivid dreams every night, and insomnia. The anxiety was constant and worse than before I started taking lamotrigine, and this was only 25 mg a day. I finally stopped taking it altogether."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "A psychiatric nurse practitioner at a world-renowned medical center saw me for depression and anxiety. When I mentioned I had been diagnosed with bipolar years before, and refused to let her put me back on an antipsychotic (I'd been off of those 6 years with no relapse), she prescribed lamotrigine. It was almost as bad. I only took 1 pill, and it took me FOUR DAYS to recover back to where I had been when I started. She put me on the standard beginning dose of 25 mg per day. I had irritability, a bad headache, nausea, my head was spinning with dizziness, and I was so sleepy I could not even think or drive or leave my apartment. I would much rather suffer severe depression and even anxiety than the hell of lamotrigine. She suggested I continue taking it to see if the side effects would eventually go away. No. Why would I do that? Any medicine that makes you feel that wretched can in no way help with depression. I only felt worse."

• Kim...
• March 11, 2013

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I'm a 30-year-old female and I've had many different diagnoses as well. I've tried and failed with many antidepressants, antipsychotics, among others. Nothing ever worked or made me feel worse! Then I found Lamictal. I've been on 50mg a day for ten days now. After six days I was feeling great. But now I'm getting mood swings, itchy, slight headaches, and lots of crazy dreaming. I am still a little depressed and thought this is not going to work either. But thanks to all your good reviews, I'm going to hang in there, wait until I find the right dose, and hopefully feel as good as all of you."

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

Lamotrigine 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."

• kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2015

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "This was the first medication I tried after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At first, I started at 25 mg, and it worked for a few weeks after the initial week of pure headaches and drowsiness. Soon after, though, it became ineffective, and my anxiety levels progressed. It seemed like because my body relied on the drug, I didn't know how to deal with my swings without them, so I felt like my swings were worse. Then we kept getting higher, and it worked but kept stopping until I got to 200 mg, one in the morning, one a little later. We did this so when the half-life wore off, I could take it again, and so far this has been amazing. My swings are calm, and I feel genuine happiness aside from my anxiety (which I am trying different meds for). I'm great."

• Ari...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2013

For Cyclothymic Disorder "I have cyclothymic disorder, and nothing worked, especially those awful atypical antipsychotics, which caused weight gain and akathisia, so lamotrigine helped me within one month of taking it. It helped me sleep at the start, but it's given me more energy now, and aside from headaches that have now subsided, there are no other side effects. I am also taking lorazepam and Effexor, so both are strong medicines, but Lamictal has been a godsend. I feel I can cope with life and do not have anxiety anymore. It's not a cure, but it sure as hell has helped me live better than anything else has and no weight gain."

• Lon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 14, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "This med took about 2 years to take full effect. I have been taking 200 mg for 12 years. I have to take it in the morning; the night dose makes it wear off too soon. (Increasing chance of migraines) Pros: I went from weekly migraines (hemiplegic, cortical depression, pain) to 2-6 per year, now only brought on by extreme stress and/or extreme wind. I unexpectedly became more easygoing; I no longer sweat the small stuff. Cons: Lamictal has extreme and terrifying withdrawals. I can tell when I've missed a dose by vibrations in my teeth and face, and if longer than 48 hours, I get extreme fear, headache, double vision, debilitating sadness, and super hypersensitive to sound. Less severe is hair loss, but so worth the life without severe migraines."

• joa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2020

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "This drug was a lifesaver for me. I've been on it for about 3 years, the early side effects were a headache. I take 2 in the morning to get my day going. Beware, if you miss a dose, you will be sick and not feel like yourself all day. I'm 23, and paired it with lithium but eventually stopped that. Overall, this has really helped me!"

• ins...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2014

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I wasn't on this long enough to see anything positive because it made me lethargic, gave me headaches, body aches, and completely sunk my libido. Two other people I know who went on Lamictal around the same time as me also had their libidos die."

• San...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2021

For Epilepsy "Got first-time clonic tonic seizures 6 months ago (3 the same day) and was prescribed Levetiracetam. Asked to change after a month as I was sleeping 18 hours a day and having mood swings. The neurologist at first didn’t want to change my medication, which infuriated me, she didn’t want to listen. I am now on Lamotrigine and I have all the side effects: insomnia, acne problem, low concentration, bad memory, can’t stand light or noise. I am refusing to take more than 100 mg a day for that reason. I am so scared to get another seizure (I didn’t have any since then but I have huge headaches/migraines almost every day) that I don’t want to stop them yet. But it changes who I am completely. Neurologists have no idea what they are talking about, they just prescribe medication and let us deal with it! This medication is a nightmare!!!!"

• sh1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Hope everyone before and after me here will eventually get better. I have severe BPD with predominant depressive/suicidal episodes and anger. I'm also very anxious, and anxiety gives me depersonalization episodes. So I was prescribed lamotrigine as a mood stabilizer, and it's supposed to help with derealization episodes somehow. At first, it seemed to work, depression was not that deep, and derealization seemed to be gone, like I was a kid again. But eventually, after three weeks, I've noticed that it all got much worse, depressive/aggressive-wise. I also started getting chills and shivering with headaches. Last thing I wanted to add - don't mix it with anything like weed or alcohol. My MD said I may smoke, but when I did, I had severe panic attacks and something that felt like psychosis. To be clear, I smoke occasionally for five years already, and I've never gotten such feelings from weed."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2018

Lamotrigine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Lamictal for cyclothymia disorder. Although I have only been on Lamictal for 3 months (200 mg), I have noticed a significant change in my sleeping habits. I went from being hypomanic and only sleeping 2-4 hrs a night to sleeping a normal 8. Lamictal has made me a morning person, something I never thought was possible. It has dampened my depressive episodes considerably, as I no longer have hypersomnia with intense despair. The only side effect I experienced was moderate headaches within the first few weeks. I was skeptical and afraid to try this drug, but so far I am very glad that I did."