Does Lamotrigine Make You Lose Your Appetite?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Low risk of weight gain: Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

is most likely to cause weight loss

. However, it can also cause weight gain.

What mood stabilizers cause weightloss?


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 Lamotrigine affect appetite?

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.

What is the most common side effect of lamotrigine?

In Summary. Commonly reported side effects of lamotrigine include:

ataxia, skin rash, headache, insomnia, and nausea

. Other side effects include: infection, dyspepsia, abnormal gait, constipation, and drowsiness.

Do I need to eat with lamotrigine?

It’s usual to take lamotrigine once or twice a day.

You can take it with or without food

. The most common side effects of lamotrigine are skin rashes and headaches. It can take up to 6 weeks for lamotrigine to work.

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.

Can 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.

How does lamotrigine 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.

Does lamotrigine affect memory?

There appears to be significant improvement in cognitive abilities in PBD patients treated with lamotrigine that is most prominent in the

areas of working memory and verbal memory

and that occurs along with mood stabilization

Does lamotrigine affect sleep?

… 54 Lamotrigine

reduces slow wave sleep while increasing stage 2 sleep

, but is also associated with reduced arousals and stage shifts and an increase in REM periods without significant subjective insomnia.

Who should not take lamotrigine?

chronic

kidney disease

stage 4 (severe) kidney disease with likely reduction in kidney function. Child-Pugh class B liver impairment. Child-Pugh class C liver impairment.

Is 50 mg of lamotrigine effective?

“In relapse prevention studies conducted by its manufacturer, however,

200 mg/day was

found to be a better target dose than 50 mg/day, while higher doses (400 mg/day) did not provide greater benefit against relapse.”

Is 400 mg of lamotrigine a lot?

However, the

dose is usually not more than 400 mg a day

. Adults and children older than 13 years of age taking valproic acid (Depakote®)—At first, 25 mg of lamotrigine once every other day for 2 weeks, then 25 mg once a day for 2 weeks. After this, your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed.

How much weight do people lose on Lamictal?

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.

Does caffeine affect Lamictal?


No interactions were found

between caffeine and Lamictal. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Does Lamotrigine help anxiety?

Lamotrigine has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 79 ratings for the treatment of Anxiety. 61

% of reviewers reported a positive effect

, while 24% reported a negative effect.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.