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Does Lamictal Cause Vivid Dreams And Disrupted Sleep?

Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015

Question: lamictal 100mg O/D I have vivid dreams ? -- nightly --- disrupted sleep - drug or old age, 93 years

further - considering: lacosa amide / Vim XXXXXXX ---vz lamotrigine / Lacmital
to reduce 'dreams' - molecular structure looks similar - dosage would be 100mg / OD - I doubt any change in intensity of dreams --- and in better sleep

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No documented effect of lacosamide VimPat

Detailed Answer:
Hello

My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. I would be in a better position to guide you if you answer following questions please:
1. Are you currently taking lamictal or lacosamide VimPat?
2. Did vivid dreams start before starting lacosamide VimPat or afterwards?
3. For how long are you epileptic?
4. How good is your sleep? Are you able to sleep for at least 7-8 hrs/day?
5. Do you have any previous or family history of stress/depression? If yes then are you taking any medication for it?

I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (4 hours later)

I sent in an inquiry to Dr Rauf, about Lamictal, as a seizure control medication -- he replied, with 5 additional questions for further details --- I answered these 5 questions, at length, and 'submitted' the answers to Healthcare, by Email
I do not 'see' anything that shows that he has received these answers
pls comment / advise --- I can repeat the 5 answers, if necessary

your E mail system is a bit cumbersome, --- asking for a password??? -- referring to SPAM for a password?? [what is that?] -- I am 93 yrs old -- all of this is foreign, to me - I paid about $18 for this service --- what now?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No documented effect of lamictal or lacosamide VimPat for vivid dreams.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Maam

I apologize for the delay. Actually, questions are asked to clear doubts regarding the query asked. It helps us to understand better and then explain the problem in the best interest of patient.

There is no documented effect of lamictal or lacosamide VimPat for vivid dreams. Stress, sleep deprivation are two important factors that may cause vivid dreams. Some times a drug may cause no effect in one person but may cause some unusual effect in other patient. Similar case could happen with you as well. From your query i concluded that you took lamictal earlier but because of vivid dreams switched to lacosamide VimPat. Am i correct? If yes then you can continue on this medicine to observe improvement. Normally it takes some time for old drug to clear off from the body and new drug to show its effects. So it is possibility that you see improvement in few days.

I would also suggest you following general measures:

- Try to have adequate sleep of at least 8-10hrs/ day
- Go out for an evening walk. It will make you fresh, relieve stress & sound sleep at night.
- Take fresh fruits & vegetables in your diet.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (14 hours later)

it appears that I have not presented my question, clearly -- I will repeat, trying to be short and succinct:
- I am taking Lamictal - 100mg od - 1 seizure - May2014
- I am NOT taking Vim XXXXXXX
- Lamictal: vivid dreams and insomnia
- pondering CHANGE to Vim XXXXXXX - to abate dreams / insomnia
- change over is complicated - will do if it will work
I am skeptical: molecular structures similar: amino radicals/benzyl hexagons
I am asking for an professional OPINION, on this change - not a directive ---
I understand that discussions, by phone or Email, have legal and ethical restrictions - so far you have rendered only general comments, which I know - now we try again - a small point: I have paid for this 'discussion' - again, an OPINION, not a recommendation

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vim XXXXXXX is better; consider using zolpidem(hypnotic drug) as well if insomnia persists

Detailed Answer:
Hello Maam

First of all i apologize for not understanding your query clearly. Yes you can take Lacosamide(Vim Pat) as an alternative to lamictal. Lacosamide(Vim Pat)'s mechanism of action is different as compared to Lamictal. Before starting Lacosamide(Vim Pat) you need to take care of following things:

1. As you are already taking an antiepiletic drug (lamictal) so you will start vimpat at a maintenance dose of 150-200mg twice a day for 3 days BEFORE withdrawal of lamictal. Do keep your treating doctor in the loop as well.

2. Lacosamide(Vim Pat) has some serious interaction with other drugs as well. So you need to discuss with your doctor about all the medicines you are taking at the moment so that close monitor can be done.

- While changing this i would also suggest you to discuss with your doctor the use of zolpidem. Its recommended as first line drug for insomnia. It has short duration and produces no significant residual sedation in the morning.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wishing you good health !!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad