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Side effects of Lamictal and Lexapro

Mon, 03/10/2008 - 23:43
I have been taking Lamictal for about a year and a half and Lexapro for a year. The past few months I have noticed I am having weight gain. I don't understand why I am gaining weight because I am a very active person. I go to the gym almost every day and work out for at least 30 minutes or an hour if I take an aerobics class. Some of my weight gain could possibly be muscle since I work out a lot, but I don't think it all is because my jeans no longer fit and I've had to go up a size. Also the muscle tone I had been gaining from working out itsn't as noticible anymore. Its like I have a layer of fat over it. I know it can't be my diet because I usually eat pretty well. I have never had weight problems before so I don't know how to deal with this. I am thinking it could possibly be the Lexapro because I have heard some antidepressants can cause weight gain. The thing I don't understand though is if it is caused by my meds than why am I just now experiencing it? Does certain side effects take longer to show up or does long term use of the drug cause increased side effects? Has anyone experienced this problem with either of these drugs? I can't quit taking my seizure med obviously, but I don't think I really need the Lexapro anymore since the main reason my neuro put me on it was because Keppra made me so depressed and irritable. I haven't taken Keppra in almost a year so I don't believe I need Lexapro anymore. Does anyone have any input on this?

Comments

Re: Side effects of Lamictal and Lexapro

Submitted by Seruzies on Tue, 2008-03-11 - 00:23
I don't know about Lexapro, the only of these two I've taken is Lamictal, and have noticed weight gain on Lamictal. When I was taking Depakote, I had almost no appetite at all. Once I stopped the Depakote, and was started on Lamictal, my appetite picked up almost immediately. For me, that's a good thing, because I hardly eat anything anyway, and not eating right is a seizure trigger for me. I'm not a very active person, and if weight gain is a problem, I'm in trouble! I've never taken Lexapro or Keppra, so I can't help you there.   

Re: Side effects of Lamictal and Lexapro

Submitted by suttsd2 on Tue, 2008-03-11 - 10:03

I have taken Lexapro and Topamax for almost a year now and lost a great deal of weight.  I think it is from the Topamax, my doctor has just now changed me to Lamictal which I have noticed I have more of an appetite on.  So I would think it would be more of the Lamictal and not the Lexapro causing your weight gain, but I'm not a doctor, I just know I lost about 30lbs being on Topamax and hoping I don't gain a ton being changed to the Lamictal, but as long as the seizures are under controlled that's all that matters : ) take care Stephanie

by the way did you have any other side effects like rash from the Lamictal?  I have only been on this for three weeks now and keep watching for them to start, can they at any time or once you have been on it awhile and its in your system good should you be in the clear of the rashes?

I have taken Lexapro and Topamax for almost a year now and lost a great deal of weight.  I think it is from the Topamax, my doctor has just now changed me to Lamictal which I have noticed I have more of an appetite on.  So I would think it would be more of the Lamictal and not the Lexapro causing your weight gain, but I'm not a doctor, I just know I lost about 30lbs being on Topamax and hoping I don't gain a ton being changed to the Lamictal, but as long as the seizures are under controlled that's all that matters : ) take care Stephanie

by the way did you have any other side effects like rash from the Lamictal?  I have only been on this for three weeks now and keep watching for them to start, can they at any time or once you have been on it awhile and its in your system good should you be in the clear of the rashes?

Re: Side effects of Lamictal and Lexapro

Submitted by Peaches78 on Wed, 2008-03-12 - 06:03
I never got any kind of rash. I think you just have to be careful when you first start the med. I've also heard if you stop it and start back it can cause side effects. I had an allergic reaction to Trilepital and I had been taking it for about three weeks before I got a rash so you should probably still be on the look out. Hopefully every thing will go well for you. Good luck.

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