Lamictal question - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

smithjl · 04-19-2007, 10:51 PM

Hey everyone. I'm on 200mg of Lamictal and have been for a while. It's working relatively well. No big side effects and have been pretty neutral. How long does it stay in your system? I'm asking this because I order refils online to get it cheaper and it hasn't come in the mail yet and I'm completely out. I don't live in the same state as my therapist or doctor. The health center gave me a temperary refil (7 days worth) last week. Can I stick it out for two or three days?

tsohl · 04-20-2007, 12:25 AM

Apparently there are more crazy variances with Lamictal than with a lot of other meds. It depends what else you take with it, whether you take it once a day or twice per day, etc...but the average time is supposed to be around 26 hours .

Sydneysue · 04-22-2007, 04:00 PM

I just started on this med this week and my doctor told me that if I go three days without it I have to start all over on the smallest dose and do the increase all over again. That has been my experience with it.

seaturtle · 04-22-2007, 08:52 PM

Hi,
Just my experience - I once stopped it just to see if it was helping (another attempt at blaming a med for the way I felt). and I was a mess a day later, crying, up and down.
The doctor said it might be the Lamictal cessation, and when I resumed it, right away I felt better again.
I didn't have to start over, and everyone reacts differently. But I'd ask your doc, or a pharmacist. Good luckm hope you get the meds.