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Lamictal is the brand name for a medication known as lamotrigine. It is considered an anticonvulsant and can be used to treat seizure disorders and epilepsy or bipolar disorder.[1] Because it works as a mood stabilizer, it is effective in managing the mood swings common among clients with bipolar disorder.
If you are taking Lamictal regularly, you should never suddenly stop taking it. Stopping Lamictal without a tapering schedule can cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms. You might notice side effects like headaches, dizziness, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, and rebound mental health symptoms.
Lamictal withdrawal will begin within a couple of days of your last dose and continue for 1 to 2 weeks. The exact timeline for withdrawal can vary from person to person. Thankfully, your doctor can help you safely come off of Lamictal by gradually reducing the dosage on a tapering schedule.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is Lamictal
- What are the symptoms of Lamictal withdrawal
- How long does Lamictal withdrawal last
- How to cope with Lamictal withdrawal
What is Lamictal (Lamotrigine)?
Lamictal is considered an anticonvulsant and a mood stabilizer. It can treat seizure disorders like epilepsy and mental health conditions like bipolar disorder. It works by slowing down electrical signals in the brain.
While lamotrigine is considered a safe and non-habit-forming medication, it can cause side effects. Some of the side effects you might experience include:[2]
- Balance or coordination problems
- Double or blurry vision
- Trouble concentrating or speaking
- Headaches
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Skin rashes
Most of the side effects will subside after your body adjusts to the medication. If any of your symptoms become severe or persist for longer than a couple of weeks, contact your doctor for advice.
What are the Symptoms of Lamictal Withdrawal?
Lamictal is mainly used to treat bipolar disorder. It can lessen the severity of depressive episodes and prevent mania from occurring. It is also helpful in preventing you from experiencing suicidal thoughts.
If you suddenly stop taking Lamictal, you will develop withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tingling sensations
- Excessive sweating
- Rebound symptoms of bipolar disorder
- Shaking and tremors
- Sleep disturbances
- Anhedonia and dysphoria
- Mood swings
- Anger or hostility
- Trouble concentrating or focusing
- Brain zaps
The only way to safely withdraw from Lamictal is to taper off it. This means you will engage in a gradual reduction of your dosage based on your doctor’s recommendation.
How Long Does Lamictal Withdrawal Last?
Lamictal withdrawal will begin within 24 to 48 hours after your last dose. It can persist for 1 to 2 weeks, causing long-term psychological symptoms that must be treated professionally. Because of this, you should never quit taking Lamictal cold turkey.
Exactly how long Lamictal withdrawal lasts varies from person to person. The following factors can influence the withdrawal timeline:
- Age, weight, and metabolism
- How long you’ve been taking Lamictal
- The dose of Lamictal you consume
- Whether you have been using other substances
- If you have any co-occurring physical or mental health conditions
Your doctor may recommend that you taper off Lamictal over two weeks to manage the symptoms you experience.[3]
How to Cope With Lamictal Withdrawal
Lamictal withdrawal is not easy to deal with. If you are considering stopping your Lamictal, you should contact the doctor who prescribed it to you. They will help you figure out a way to get off of the medication without experiencing significant symptoms.
The best ways to cope with Lamictal withdrawal include:
Gradual Tapering
If you contact your doctor about quitting Lamictal, they will create a tapering schedule. This means you will gradually reduce your dosage for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, you will no longer be taking the medication.
This method of cessation prevents you from experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, you might experience rebound symptoms of bipolar disorder if you were using Lamictal to treat that. There needs to be a plan in place to help you cope with your condition.
Self-Care
If you are on a tapering schedule but experiencing slight withdrawal symptoms, you should consult with your doctor to adjust your plan. That said, there are natural ways to cope with Lamictal withdrawal.
Engage in the following self-care techniques to lessen the severity of your withdrawal symptoms:
- Keeping a balanced diet to ensure your body remains healthy
- Regularly exercise to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and improve your mood
- Get adequate sleep to ensure you feel well-rested and have the energy to overcome your symptoms
- Seek help from a therapist or a support group for your psychological symptoms
Replacement Medications
If you are stopping Lamictal after taking it to treat bipolar disorder, you might want to consider taking a different medication. Bipolar disorder often requires medication to prevent severe symptoms from affecting you. Without a replacement, your symptoms could become difficult to manage.
There are tons of medications out there that can help you cope with bipolar disorder. Just because Lamictal wasn’t the right fit does not mean that another medication will not work. Speak with your doctor about what medication you should try next.
Find Help For Drug and Alcohol Abuse
If you or a loved one suffers from drug and alcohol abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. Bipolar disorder often leads to substance abuse as a form of medication. Having co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction means you need dual diagnosis services to achieve long-term recovery.
At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer treatment for both mental health and addiction at the same time. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
References:
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Medline Plus: Lamotrigine
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Lamotrigine
- National Institute of Health (NIH): End-of-dose emergent psychopathology in ambulatory patients with epilepsy on stable-dose lamotrigine monotherapy: a case series of six patients