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Lamictal side effects/weight changes? Or Tegretol?

Mon, 08/13/2007 - 13:19
Hi everyone, For anyone who is or has been on lamictal, what has been your experience as far as weight changes or any other side effects with lamictal? I tend to gain weight very very easily and am looking for another med to try. I'm currently on Topamax and while it has been great as far as the weight loss, I just can't stand the side effects anymore. I'm constantly sick and cannot eat not anything. I'm also looking for a med that I can safely be on if I happen to become pregnant and this looks to be like one of them... Or how about Tegretol? Do any of you have favorable results with Tegretol as far as fewer side effects? Thanks :-) Elizabeth

Comments

Re: Lamictal side effects/weight changes? Or Tegretol?

Submitted by HilaryWeinberg on Sun, 2007-08-19 - 18:55
i am on lamictal and i hate the side afects.

Re: Re: Lamictal side effects/weight changes? Or Tegretol?

Submitted by susandent on Sun, 2007-09-09 - 20:58
If you know it's not good for you, try something else. I got off it too. You're right. There are way too many risks with Lamictal, and it's not one of the better ones. It was invented around 2000. Might want to try a newer one. Ever hopeful, SusieQ

Re: Lamictal side effects/weight changes? Or Tegretol?

Submitted by Grits on Fri, 2007-08-24 - 10:38
Hi- I have been on lamictal for 4 months and I have lost 9 pounds (I weighed 123 lbs. initially).I loved the medication until a couple of weeks ago when I started heart palpitations and anxiety. I also feel restless when I sleep. My neurologist said it was weight neutral, but if you download the "complete prescribing information" on Lamictal's website, it says weight loss can be a side effect. I had 3 healthy children on phenobarbital ( when I had my first in 1995, tegretol was #1 choice for pregnancy,then phenobarbital). I understand they don't like phenobarbital for pregnancy anymore. Alot of the newer ones you can't breastfeed with however. I would take tegretol- its been around alot longer- the longterm effects on the newer drugs aren't known.( I couldn't take tegretol- I was allergic to it). Best of luck!

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