lamictal

Trauma Columnist · Mar 10, 2009

There's just no way we can answer that question - the person needs to discuss the prescription with their provider.

elkpark · Mar 11, 2009

Just speaking generally, and not referring to any individual's personal situation, Lamictal and some of the other anticonvulsants are being used to treat anxiety and that is not an inappropriate practice. That group of medications is being found, over time, to be effective and safe for treating a wide variety of psychiatric symptoms, and there are a number of reasons to consider them preferable to many of the drugs traditionally used to treat anxiety.

Also, once the FDA has approved a medication to treat something, it is legal (and acceptable) to prescribe the drug for other conditions, and lots of drugs are used for "off-label" indications -- you don't "lose your license" for doing so. Treating bipolar disorder with this group of drugs was originally an "off-label" usage -- these drugs were originally developed and approved to treat epilepsy (and are widely used for that in addition to the psychiatric usages), and were only discovered later to be useful as mood stabilizers.

However, as trauma notes, any questions about an individual's specific situation should be discussed with that person's personal healthcare provider.

RNRutRO · Mar 12, 2009

WOW! I was just given a Rx for this drug. I too had concerns for it being a drug for bipolar and my license. I was assured by my doctor, that it is not why he is putting me on it. I don't have epilepsy either.

Just like Elkpark says, there are "off-label" indications for drugs. And for me to try Lamictal since he has had success with it in those. Plus, it's not known to have too many side effects. I have however, had some major headaches. Don't know if that is the drug, or the wonderful pollen that is painted everything around here yellow. One thing though. He made sure I was aware of to start taking it very slowly and watch for a rash.

Good luck, and if you need it, use it.