Lamictal? | ADHD Information
I have taken it and my son has. It's a mood stabilizer, primarily used for bipolar. Watch out for the Zoloft. If he starts getting irritable, angry, or even violent that could be a red flag for bipolar disorder. Some kids can't handle SSRI antidepressants, but often it takes until enough of the drug is in their system for the kids to suddenly flip out. I am bipolar and had a very bad reaction to Zoloft. Lamictal is a good medication, but it's usually used for bipolar. In fact, I never heard of it used for anything else, but maybe it is. You may want to post on this board. A lot of these kids are on Lamictal and other mood stabilizers:
OlderMom38875.8347916667
Does anyone have any experience with this med? My son is currently taking Zoloft for depression after we eliminated all other meds. His Dr.'s have decided that he is not bipolar, but still has mood issues and so if the Zoloft has not taken care of his irritability and occasional flare ups within the next month we are to start him on Lamictal. Has anyone taken this, or have your kids taken it? And if so, what were your experiences with it? Any side effects? Thanks in advance
I take it for seizures. I haven't had any side effects, although my neurologist told me that it can keep people awake. She told me to try to take it before 6 pm. I haven't had that problem. I used to be on Depakote and dilantin, but the depakote gave me reflux. When I heard that reflux can turn into esophogeal cancer, I asked my doctor to switch meds.One other thought: Sometimes violent rages can be a manifestation of epilepsy. I had a few when I was a teenager (doin' that puberty thing) and I know they were horrible, but I really don't remember anything about them. It was like I blacked out for it.
Hope this helps.
He is actually doing much better since he started the Zoloft. He actually doesn't really rage (never has...I thought he had rages until I found out what a rage actually is
,) he'll just lose his temper for a minute or two, stomp off to his room and then be fine a couple minutes later. He is much less irritable since starting the Zoloft and just seems happier altogether. We just got home from the vacation from h*ll a couple days ago, and had several problems with him losing his temper and being not so nice to us. We were on a cruise that is not kid friendly at all, there were no teenagers at all for him to hang out with and nothing for him to do. His little brother was sick the whole trip so we were all cooped up in our cabin together for a week and he was going stir crazy. Completely understandable....but, after I told his Dr. about the few flare ups, he wants us to try the Lamictal if we feel he needs it in another month or so.
Oldermom....how long did you and your kids take the Zoloft before it had a bad effect?
Smallmom..how long was it before your kids had the manic reactions on the Zoloft and Paxil?
I've been watching him for signs of this but so far haven't seen anything. Since starting the Zoloft he has really mellowed out. He still sleeps alot but the Dr.'s said it could take a few more weeks for it to really get into his system. Thanks for the info. And do either of you know where I could find info on other mood disorders besides bipolar?
Julie, I have two kids on Lamictal (13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter). It works on the depressive end of bipolar disorder. My kids couldn't take SSRIs -- both had manic reactions to them (Zoloft in son's case and Paxil in daughter's case). We like Lamictal a lot -- it brightens their moods without making them manic. And we've seen no side effects whatsoever.
As OlderMom warned, I'd watch out for the Zoloft. If you are seeing increased irritability and raging, ask for your son to be weaned from it before starting Lamictal. You honestly may not need both meds at all.