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does lamictal cause weight loss

by Reta Strosin Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Moreover, if Lamictal

Lamotrigine

Lamotrigine is used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures. It may also be used to help prevent the extreme mood swings of bipolar disorder in adults.

does impact weight, it’s most likely to induce weight loss (rather than cause weight gain). Among persons who are prone to experiencing weight loss on Lamictal, research indicates that average weight loss ranges from: 2.58 lbs. to 9.25 lbs. – and obese users appear to lose more weight than non-obese users.

If you're concerned that taking the medication Lamictal (lamotrigine) may cause you to gain weight, there's good news. It probably won't affect your weight much at all. If anything, you're more likely to lose weight because of Lamictal than to gain weight, but either way, the changes will probably be pretty small.Sep 17, 2020

Full Answer

Can Lamictal help you lose weight?

Those taking Lamictal lost more weight than those on the placebo (about 2.5 pounds versus about one-third of a pound), and they did have significant improvements in their blood sugar and cholesterol lab test results. However, the Lamictal didn't seem to affect other aspects of their binge-eating disorder when compared to placebo.

Does Lamictal cause short term memory loss?

Memory loss is found among people who take Lamictal, especially for people who are female, 50-59 old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 6 months. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Lamictal and have Memory loss. It is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 66,798 people who have side effects when taking Lamictal from the FDA, and is updated regularly.

Can Lamictal cause increased appetite?

That said, it is important to keep in mind that the cause(s) of one person’s weight change on Lamictal might differ from the cause(s) of another’s. Appetite changes: You might experience changes in appetite while using Lamictal such that your appetite significantly increases or decreases – compared to baseline. If you experience an increase in appetite, it may be difficult to restrain yourself from consuming excess calories – whereby you might gain weight.

Can Lamictal cause stomach problems?

Treatment with Lamictal can cause side effects of nausea or vomiting in certain patients, explains Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health 1 2. These stomach upset symptoms are uncomfortable and may contribute to a decrease in appetite in affected patients.

How much weight do you lose on lamotrigine?

The percentages of patients with a > or = 7% weight loss, during randomized treatment, were 12.1%, 11.5%, and 5.1% for the lamotrigine, placebo, and lithium groups, respectively.

Does Lamictal affect appetite?

Mood stabilizers, Lamictal, and weight gain In clinical trials, less than 5 percent of those taking Lamictal gained weight. If you take Lamictal and have gained weight, the weight gain may be an effect of the disorder itself. Bipolar disorder can increase your appetite or change your metabolism.

Does Lamictal speed up metabolism?

Lamotrigine metabolism also exhibits the phenomenon of “autoinduction” (increase in its own metabolism during the course of therapy) [104], similar to the first-generation AED carbamazepine, with an approximately 20% reduction in steady-state serum/plasma concentrations if dosage is not escalated.

Does Lamotrigine cause weight loss or gain?

Low risk of weight gain: Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is most likely to cause weight loss. However, it can also cause weight gain. Other common side effects of this drug include: headache.

Does Lamictal give you energy?

How does Lamictal make you feel? Like all drugs, Lamictal affects each person differently when they take it. For example, Lamictal typically doesn't give you energy. In fact, you may have fatigue (lack of energy) as a side effect.Aug 21, 2021

Is there a bipolar medication that causes weight loss?

Topiramate led to substantial weight loss in patients with bipolar disorders in these studies. The efficacy of topiramate as an adjunct treatment in patients with mood disorders has been demonstrated.

Does Lamictal help with anxiety?

Lamictal (lamotrigine), a mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant, is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of any anxiety disorders. It is approved to treat bipolar disorder and seizure disorders.Dec 16, 2020

Does caffeine affect Lamictal?

No interactions were found between caffeine and Lamictal.

What can you not mix with lamotrigine?

What Other Medications May Interact With Lamotrigine?Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®/Carbatrol®/Equetro®), phenobarbital, and primidone (Mysoline®)Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)Rifampin (Rifadin®), ritonavir (Norvir®)

Does Lamictal make you feel happy?

Lamotrigine is the only mood stabilizer that calms mood swings by lifting the depression rather than suppressing the mania, says Dr. Aiken. “That makes it a great choice for the bipolar spectrum, where the depressive symptoms usually outweigh the manic ones. Its greatest benefit is in prevention.

How does Lamictal make you feel?

Lamotrigine may make you feel very drowsy or sleepy when you start taking it. It may also make it difficult for you to get to sleep. If these symptoms carry on for a long time, or if this is difficult for you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other medicines you could take.

Is Lamictal a stimulant?

Lamotrigine, a representative anticonvulsant, is a drug used as a stimulant or sedative through its pharmacological mechanism affecting sodium and calcium channels and hence the synaptic transmission of excitatory neurotransmitters5,6,7).Jun 22, 2017

What is lamictal used for?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant medication prescribed for the prophylaxis and/or management of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Research suggests that Lamictal modifies neurochemistry by: inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, blocking various calcium channels (L-type; N-type; P-type), antagonizing sigma and 5-HT3 receptors, upregulating GABA signaling, and suppressing the release of glutamate and aspartate. Through the aforementioned mechanisms of action, Lamictal effectively prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.

How much weight did lamotrigine lose?

An analysis by researchers determined that, on average, lamotrigine users exhibited an average weight loss of 2.64 lbs. (1.2 kg) over a 52-week span.

What are the variables that influence weight change?

Variables that may be most likely to influence weight change among Lamictal users include: baseline weight (body weight prior to using Lamictal); adjunct substance use; Lamictal dose; duration of Lamictal use; prior medication use; and/or lifestyle/genetics of the user.

Does lamictal cause cognitive impairment?

Cognitive impairment: The inhibitory action of Lamictal might cause mild (or perhaps substantial) cognitive impairment in a subset of users. Changes or impaired cognitive function might decrease self-regulation (i.e. willpower) around food – and could lead to overeating.

Does lamotrigine cause weight gain?

Merideth noted that, unlike most mood stabilizers, lamotrigine isn’t associated with weight gain. Because lamotrigine doesn’t generally cause weight gain, Merideth organized a trial to determine the effectiveness of lamotrigine compared to placebo for the induction of weight loss among adults with obesity.

Does lamictal slow metabolism?

Conversely, if Lamictal slows your metabolism (compared to pre-treatment), you might gain some weight as a result of decreased energy expenditure.

Does lamictal cause weight loss?

The good news for prospective Lamictal users is that, according to research, Lamictal is unlikely to cause significant weight change – and if weight change does occur, it’s most likely to be modest weight loss.

What are the side effects of lamotrigine?

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking lamotrigine: More common. Blurred vision. changes in vision. chest pain, discomfort, or tightness. clumsiness or unsteadiness.

Does lamotrigine need medical attention?

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of lamotrigine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Can lamotrigine cause rash?

Cases of life-threatening serious rashes, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, or rash-related death have been caused by lamotrigine. The rate of serious rash is greater in pediatric patients than in adults. Additional factors that may increase the risk of rash include: (1) coadministration with valproate; (2) exceeding recommended initial dose of lamotrigine; or (3) exceeding recommended dose escalation for lamotrigine. Benign rashes are also caused by lamotrigine; however, it is not possible to predict which rashes will prove to be serious or life threatening. Lamotrigine should be discontinued at the first sign of rash, unless the rash is clearly not drug related.

What is lamotrigine used for?

, studied at Bournemouth University. Answered 5 years ago. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It is also used off-label as an adjunct in treating clinical depression. The weight loss is a side affect because it can disrupt hormone balance.

How much lamotrigine should I take a day?

If you are using lamotrigine for the treatment of bipolar disorder, you might start feeling some difference between 50mg to 100mg per day.

Does lamotrigine cause weight loss?

Anti-seizure medications like Lamotrigine which are also used to treat illnesses bipolar can cause weight loss by changing hormonal balance in the body. In particular, one possible side effect is the thyroid, which is largely responsible for regulating the metabolism, can release to much of certain hormones which speeds up the metabolism.

Is lamictal an anticonvulsant?

Lamictal is an anticonvulsant, but is also used off-label for other things, such as bipolar. With it being an anticonvulsant, my DR told me a person should not go off of lamictal cold turkey because their seizure threshold will lower, making them more susceptible to having a seizure.

Can you take 200mg of lamotrigine with abilify?

Therefore in a way, a lower dose of lamotrigine such as 200mg combined with a lower dose of Abilify might end up achieving remissions much easier than keep on marching lamotrigine all the way up to 400mg and see less and less incremental benefits with each increase in dosage. Finally, this is interesting.

Can you resume lamotrigine?

If you plan to resume lamotrogine, the correct, sensible, and safest way is with a doctor’s learned assistance. As a general rule, the effectiveness of lamotrigine in bipolar patients is during a period of depression, not hypomania or mania.

What are the side effects of lamictal?

The more common side effects of Lamictal in people treated for bipolar I disorder include: 1 nausea 2 sleeping trouble 3 sleepiness or extreme tiredness 4 back pain 5 rash 6 runny nose 7 stomach pain 8 dry mouth

Can you take lamictal if you have kidney damage?

If you have moderate liver or kidney damage, your body may not process Lamictal as well as it should. Your doctor may suggest a lower starting dosage or a different drug.

Can bipolar affect weight?

Bipolar disorder and weight gain. Continued changes in mood from bipolar disorder can affect your motivation to exercise or follow a healthy meal plan. If you’re concerned about weight gain during your treatment for bipolar disorder, your doctor can refer you to a nutritionist. Working with a nutritionist can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Does lamictal cause weight gain?

Unlike most mood stabilizers, though, Lamictal is less likely to cause weight gain. In clinical trials, less than 5 percent of those taking Lamictal gained weight. If you take Lamictal and have gained weight, the weight gain may be an effect of the disorder itself. Bipolar disorder can increase your appetite or change your metabolism.

Does mood stabilizer cause weight gain?

Most mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder are known to cause weight gain. The way a mood stabilizer affects your weight depends on many things, such as how severe your disorder is and what other conditions you have.

Can mood stabilizers affect weight?

Continued changes in mood can not only affect your weight but may also be a sign that the drug you’re taking isn’t working as well as it should be. If you have continued changes in mood during therapy for bipolar disorder, tell your doctor. A mood stabilizer’s effectiveness differs from person to person.

Can lamictal be taken while pregnant?

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this drug. Lamictal also passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in your child if you breastfeed. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your child if you take Lamictal.

What are the side effects of lamotrigine?

Low risk of weight gain: Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is most likely to cause weight loss. However, it can also cause weight gain. Other common side effects of this drug include: 1 headache 2 trouble sleeping 3 drowsiness 4 upset stomach 5 aches and pains throughout your body

How does bipolar affect weight?

Most of them affect your weight, but many increase your risk of weight gain rather than weight loss. By making healthy choices in your diet and adding routine exercise, you may be able to minimize these effects. Many people with bipolar disorder often have to try several different drugs before finding one that works.

Does lamotrigine cause weight gain?

Low risk of weight gain: Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is most likely to cause weight loss. However, it can also cause weight gain. Other common side effects of this drug include: Risk of weight gain: Valproate is likely to cause weight gain. It may also cause tremors, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Can bipolar cause weight gain?

Most bipolar drugs cause weight gain rather than weight loss. For example, several of them increase your blood sugar level, which can lead to weight gain. Others affect your energy level. During manic episodes, you typically may not sleep much and may burn off lots of energy.

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Research

  • The effect of Lamictal on weight has been studied quite a bit and various clinical trials have found a minimal impact gain. In fact, some researchers even have looked at the drug as a possible treatment for obesity and as a treatment for binge-eating disorder. This information should be re…
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Medical uses

  • Lamictal is an anticonvulsant medication that can be used to treat seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. It's also used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder.
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Epidemiology

  • In the first clinical trials involving the drug, 5 percent of adults with epilepsy lost weight while taking Lamictal, while between 1 and 5 percent of patients with bipolar I disorder gained weight while on the drug. The researchers didn't disclose how much weight the patients gained or lost.
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Prevention

  • Weight gain from drugs used to treat bipolar disorder is unfortunately pretty common. Certain mood stabilizers commonly used in bipolar disorderspecifically, lithium and Depakote (valproate)carry a high risk of weight gain. Therefore, if you're already overweight, you and your psychiatrist may want to consider the possibility of additional weight gain in determining your m…
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Adverse effects

  • In addition, the atypical antipsychotic medications Clozaril (clozapine) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) tend to cause significant weight gain in people taking them. Finally, some antidepressantsspecifically, Paxil (paroxetine) and Remeron (mirtazapine)are associated with weight gain.
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Effects

  • Those taking Lamictal lost more weight than those on the placebo (about 2.5 pounds versus about one-third of a pound), and they did have significant improvements in their blood sugar and cholesterol lab test results. However, the Lamictal didn't seem to affect other aspects of their binge-eating disorder when compared to placebo.
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