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.

Lamotrigine and Acetaminophen/caffeine

Mon, 09/18/2017 - 10:58
Hello! I've always been a little emotional. But once I started to get the seizures, I was put on lamotrigine and my emotions heightened. Months passed and I was on drugs.com trying to figure out why I've been super emotional lately and turns out there's a major interaction with Lamotrigine, Acetaminophen and caffeine. It says that if you've had emotional disturbances that they will increase, as well as thoughts of suicide. My doctor never said anything about not being able to mix these. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing.

Comments

I've been taking Lamictal

Submitted by sindarintech on Mon, 2017-09-18 - 23:23
I've been taking Lamictal @150mg for about 6 months but haven't noticed heightened emotions. I try to keep my intake of caffeine as minimal as possible, but I have noticed that sometimes it will trigger dizzy spells and (possibly) minor seizures... I'm still monitoring the latter. Just FYI: I have right temporal lobe epilepsy, and I've noticed that Ibuprofen actually causes me to have seizures. I've wondered if these symptoms are due to caffeine and ibuprofen being described as vasodilators. 

When I get medications I tend

Submitted by just_joe on Wed, 2017-09-20 - 19:12
When I get medications I tend to read the paperwork that comes from the pharmacists. It is a list of side effects that the medications may have. I also have my doctors knowing any and all medications I take. That way if I need a medication they know what not to prescribe because they can interfere with my medications. Now everybody is different. Caffeine should be limited . If you looked at the section in here research triggers. However I drink coffee or Tea from the time I gt up in th morning till I lay down at night. Each person is different so you need to be talking and checking with your docs

I recently weaned myself off

Submitted by Antestatik on Thu, 2017-09-21 - 12:33
I recently weaned myself off a mix of meds which included Lamotrigine, in all honest I think they all all pretty much the same.  I have generalised epilepsy, all types of seizures but now control it using only CBD oil and Moringa.  I found I had been experiencing all the side effects listed, especially suicidal thoughts, but didn't notice anything wrong until I stopped taking them because that was all I had known for thirty five years.  Also I found that there were other side effects that aren't listed, my hearing improved, my speech, my general well being, the list is endless.   I told Epilepsy Foundation but they weren't interested.  Now I feel I lost 35 years of my life to these life sapping drugs, but key to overcoming epilepsy is positivity and happiness so I smile and laugh as often as possible to keep my seizures at bay.  It is work in progress and always will be.  Even if I were to have a seizure it would be much easier to deal with than the ones I had on medication.  Meds make it harder to recover from seizures, they work by reducing the electrical activity in the brain.  Seizures are caused by excess electrical activity in the brain but interfering with the brains function in this way reduces ones ability to recover from a seizure.  Ask any doctor and they will disagree with me but they haven't got epilepsy and don't know what it feels like for real.  I have tried all kinds of seizures both on and off medication, with and without CBD oil or cannabis.  Epilepsy is big business for the pharmaceutical industry, they don't really want to find a cure. Angry replies to this comment will just prove my point. I have spent 35 years studying my own epilepsy and comparing it to others, yes we are all different but essentially we are all the same. 

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.