Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Side effects of Lamictal and Lexapro
Mon, 03/10/2008 - 23:43Topic: Medication Issues
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
Hello Willow, I took Lamictal
Submitted by MrsS on Mon, 2017-06-05 - 22:29
Hello Willow, I took Lamictal and Topamax for about 8 years, then had an EMU test done (epilepsy monitoring unit) because I didn't feel the medication was working anymore. The EMU revealed that I was on the wrong medication for the type of epilepsy that I have (JME). The doctor told me that their are only 4 medications that will work for this type (Lamitcal, Depakote, Keppra and Briviact). I had been on Depakote (with Dilantin) for many years growing up and didn't like it, so the doctor put me on Keppra, which did not work and finally Briviact. After the doctor took me off Topamax I started to gain weight almost immediately. I remember that my previous neurologist told me that one medication would cause weight and the other cause weight loss (Lamictal and Topamax). So I never gained weight. After doing some researched I learned that weight gain is a side effect of the Lamictal. Recently I have been researching L-Glutamine, to see if it will help with weight loss. I go to the gym at least 3 days a week, but cannot loose weight. I have also tracked my food, but never lose weight. I am tired all of the time and fall asleep very early, I am sure that this does not help.I would say that if a person is not gaining weight on Lamictal, it could be due to the side effects from other medication (like when I was taking Lamictal and Topamax).I have had epilepsy for 35 years and have taken almost all of the medications (Briviact was approved in 2016). I am almost ready to have my doctor put me on Topamax again, as I have depression as well and go into a terrible state of depression when I gain weight.I wish everyone here good luck and hope you all find the right medication to help control your seizures and find a way to deal with the weight gain if it is a side effect for you.
Re: Side effects of Lamictal and Lexapro
Submitted by TheSandy84 on Tue, 2009-08-18 - 13:07
I've been on 3... well sort of 3... meds:
Depakote: average size (123-126lbs), depressed, pretty good muscle tone
Lamictal: thin (115-123lbs), happy, eh muscle tone... not as easy to build as on Depakote
Lamotrigine: well... (130lbs), lethargic... right when I got home 6:00pm I could sleep till 12:am stay up for 3 hours and go back to sleep... I'm guess feeling lethargic kept me from running around, but still happy.
All these weights are relevant to my height... so I'm not 6'0 and getting down on myself because I weighed 130lbs :) . I'm now back on Lamictal and losing weight. Yay!
I've been on 3... well sort of 3... meds:
Depakote: average size (123-126lbs), depressed, pretty good muscle tone
Lamictal: thin (115-123lbs), happy, eh muscle tone... not as easy to build as on Depakote
Lamotrigine: well... (130lbs), lethargic... right when I got home 6:00pm I could sleep till 12:am stay up for 3 hours and go back to sleep... I'm guess feeling lethargic kept me from running around, but still happy.
All these weights are relevant to my height... so I'm not 6'0 and getting down on myself because I weighed 130lbs :) . I'm now back on Lamictal and losing weight. Yay!