HomeAnswersPsychiatrylamotrigineI am experiencing Lamictal withdrawal symptoms. Please help.

How to manage the withdrawal symptoms of Lamictal?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Ashok Kumar

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At March 24, 2016
Reviewed AtJuly 31, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have run out of Lamictal and the pharmacy will not open for the next two days. I am going to miss the dose for the next three nights. I am on Lamictal 200 mg at night along with two of Lorazepam. I have now terrified myself by reading internet chat groups. I also take Vyvanse and Effexor in the morning. Is this really terrible? Is there anything I can do to ameliorate the withdrawal symptoms? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all, I like to assure you that internet chat groups are personal testimonials of individual persons and do not indicate in majority of cases what scientifically proved and same is applicable for Lamictal (Lamotrigine) to some extent. Lamictal is a medication which can be stopped suddenly when required and many of the patients do not develop any serious adverse reaction when the dose is up to 200 mg or less. Most people who develop withdrawal receive more than 200 mg per day. In addition, personal factors are very important and they determine the possibility of withdrawal reaction to Lamictal. Since you have only 60 hours without Lamictal the possibility is very low, it has half life of 29 hours and by that calculation you will have at least 25% drug at the end of Sunday. This amount of medication in your system will help you to stay calm and composed without Lamictal. Now, in case if there is any withdrawal symptom then please do the following: Take plenty of fluids to keep yourself well hydrated, use your weekend on something interesting to distract yourself from these thoughts, take grape juice as it will slow the metabolism of Lamictal, take extra dose of Ativan (Lorazepam) or any other Benzodiazepine when you feel irritable and just ask your friends to know whether somebody on Lamictal. If you get someone then borrow few tablets showing your prescription and explaining the Sunday effect. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ashok Kumar
Dr. Ashok Kumar

Geriatrics

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