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Is Lamotrigine Safe To Take For Depression?
Question: yes I have a depression& I was on sertraline then I start losing my balance, then she put me on lamotrigine is that a good thing Mabel What would you recomend
Brief Answer:
It can be used for augmentation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
I read your query and do understand your concern regarding starting lamotrigine.
Lamotrigine is often used as an augmentation agent in case a person is not responding to the 1st drug. However, it is not used as a first line agent in unipolar depression. It is definitely an effective agent for treatment of bipolar depression.
In your case, decision to add lamotrigine would depend on what dose of sertraline you were on. The dose range of sertraline lies between 50 to 200 mg /day. So, in your case, if the dose is below 200 mg/day, my first option would be to increase the dose of sertraline, if you are able to tolerate it.
However, in case sertraline couldn't be increased further (either due to maximum dose or not able to tolerate further), either a new anti-depressant could be tried or an augmentation agent like lamotrigine could be added. So, the decision would be appropriate in this case.
I am sure your treating physician would have considered these points before starting lamotrigine. You can also directly discuss these with your treating physician and get to know the exact reason she considered lamotrigine for you.
I do hope that the above information was helpful. In case of any further queries, please feel free to ask.
Wishing you speedy recovery,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
It can be used for augmentation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
I read your query and do understand your concern regarding starting lamotrigine.
Lamotrigine is often used as an augmentation agent in case a person is not responding to the 1st drug. However, it is not used as a first line agent in unipolar depression. It is definitely an effective agent for treatment of bipolar depression.
In your case, decision to add lamotrigine would depend on what dose of sertraline you were on. The dose range of sertraline lies between 50 to 200 mg /day. So, in your case, if the dose is below 200 mg/day, my first option would be to increase the dose of sertraline, if you are able to tolerate it.
However, in case sertraline couldn't be increased further (either due to maximum dose or not able to tolerate further), either a new anti-depressant could be tried or an augmentation agent like lamotrigine could be added. So, the decision would be appropriate in this case.
I am sure your treating physician would have considered these points before starting lamotrigine. You can also directly discuss these with your treating physician and get to know the exact reason she considered lamotrigine for you.
I do hope that the above information was helpful. In case of any further queries, please feel free to ask.
Wishing you speedy recovery,
Dr. Sunil Gupta
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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