Lamotrigine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 24, 2019

For Depression "Lamictal has changed my life! I have had medication-resistant depression for over 30 years. I am now 60. I have been on every med out there, only to keep from being suicidal at best. I was on Abilify for 3 or 4 years with Viibryd. I gained 30 lbs, and cholesterol went sky-high. So, as a last resort, I decided to try lamictal. I am on 150mg and 30mg of Viibryd. It has totally changed my life. I am no longer depressed at all! My friends and family are amazed at the difference they see in me. I am socializing with people and taking care of myself again. I think I feel better than I did before being diagnosed with depression. Now I know we all react to meds differently, but if you are having trouble finding something that works, this is worth a try. I have major depression, not bipolar. I say that because most things I read about using lamictal were to help with bipolar. But it can also help as an add-on to your antidepressant. I thank GOD I found out about it."

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

Lamotrigine 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!"

• goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2019

For Anxiety "Have been suffering from anxiety, panic, and bipolar depression for 20+ years. Have been on every cocktail imaginable and was at my best on Klonopin, Remeron, and Zyprexa. Zyprexa caused me to gain 60 lbs over 4 years and made my blood sugar levels crazy. Trying to come off it was really awful. I tapered from 10 mg to 5 mg to 2.5 mg to 1.25 mg over months. After several failed attempts with Latuda, Abilify, and Seroquel, my doctor prescribed Lamictal, and it has completely changed my life. My depression is all but gone, my moods are better, anxiety is lower, and I have been Zyprexa free for 2 months and lost 19 lbs. I am currently at 50 mg, and our goal dosage is 100 mg. It took a few days to kick in, but I'm getting better day by day. Finally getting my life back!"

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

Lamotrigine 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

Lamotrigine 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

Lamotrigine 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

Lamotrigine 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."

• CTA...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 24, 2019

For Depression "Having suffered from treatment-resistant chronic depression and GAD for years, I had been on so many medications - either efficacy was short-lived or side effects unacceptable (weight gain, lethargy, hyperness, insomnia, agitation, +++). In 2013, my MD prescribed 100 mg Lamotrigine with 20 mg Trintellex once a day. I can’t begin to describe the amazing efficacy these two medications have had on my depression and anxiety. Everyone has their ups and downs, that’s life - but chronic depression is nothing but days of downs - so hard to live with - for the first time in 30 years, I feel ‘normal’. Trintellex has the added benefit of reducing brain fog, and my thinking is clearer. Lamotrigine enhances the overall control of major depressive disorder, and I am so grateful for the relief these two medications provide. One downside: Trintellex is still under patent, but Takeda offers cost reduction support because it is terribly expensive."

• Kat...
• October 29, 2019

Lamotrigine 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."

• ERa...
• September 14, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I started taking Lamictal when I started DBT earlier this year and noticed almost immediately that my intense mood swings had largely subsided. Some classic BPD symptoms haven't been resolved (for me, feelings of insecurity/abandonment and argumentativeness), and I still struggle with suicidal ideation and target behaviors. However, the intensity and frequency of these episodes have diminished greatly. Lamictal has really improved my life, and I think I would be in a drastically worse position without taking it. I haven't had any weight gain on this medication or any other negative side effects. I would definitely recommend this medication! Hope this was helpful, and I wish you well on your journey of healing. :)"

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

For Depression "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."

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

Lamotrigine 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

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."

• Rae...
• August 16, 2013

Lamotrigine 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."

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

For Depression "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."

• chr...
• April 1, 2013

Lamotrigine 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

Lamotrigine 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."

• 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."

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

For Depression "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."

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

Lamotrigine 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.'"

• Lib...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 9, 2016

For Cyclothymic Disorder "Started taking it five years ago, and knew within a month that I had finally found a mood stabilizer that did the job. No weight gain (if anything, I lost weight), no lack of focus, and no restlessness. This drug made me feel normal and at my baseline. I recently added a small dose of Effexor (venlafaxine), and it's made me feel like a whole new person. The one and only drawback is that I had to be careful about alcohol and caffeine consumption for a while. I'm still a bit more sensitive to both, but that's a small price to pay for the benefits."

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

Lamotrigine 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

Lamotrigine 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

Lamotrigine 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."

• Sun...
• May 31, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on lithium for a year or so, my doctor kept upping it when I told him I was having symptoms of feeling numb (couldn’t even feel happy or laugh or cry). I was like a zombie. I gained a ton of weight, and it gave me shakes so bad. My hands would just shake terribly. I was on 1200 mg a day (600 mg 2x a day). I got pregnant with my son and switched doctors. I had to do a quick detox off of the lithium because of the birth defects associated with lithium and pregnancy. It was a horrible few weeks coming off of it (I did a quick 2-week taper), and the few weeks after that were bad. My new doctor put me on a low dose of Lamictal in combination with Buspar for my anxiety. I started on 25 mg of Lamictal and 10 mg of Buspar. I started feeling better in about 2-3 weeks. Then I moved up to 50 mg of Lamictal and 20 mg of Buspar (10 mg 2x a day). I’ve been on that dose for almost 2 years, and it’s helped a lot."