Bowden, Asnis, Ginsberg, et al. Common side effects of Lamictal include: ataxia, skin rash, headache, insomnia, and nausea. While Lamictal is regarded as a highly effective anticonvulsant for the management of neurological disorders, and is even classified as an “essential medicine” by the World Health Organization (WHO), some prospective users may be concerned about its side effects – including body weight change – including weight gain and weight loss. Finally, some antidepressants—specifically, Paxil (paroxetine) and Remeron (mirtazapine)—are associated with weight gain.. Participants were randomized to receive either lamotrigine (26) or a placebo (25) for a 16-week duration in a double-blind, flexible-dose trial. Results indicated that lamotrigine (i.e. This should be reassuring to people with bipolar disorder since so many medications used to treat the condition can cause weight gain. Weight loss is a more common side effect than weight gain (which is comparatively rare). Understand that your body weight may fluctuate slightly as it readjusts to functioning without the medication. Weight loss could be due to a combination of: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite reduction, etc. I feel hungry but my stomach is doing some nauseous, crampy thing. This study supports the idea that lamotrigine treatment facilitates weight loss – particularly among those with obesity. Results from this review indicate that lamotrigine does not appear to cause weight gain – even when administered for an extended duration. Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Things you must do . It's also used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder.. This is very rare, and can even cause weight gain as well. You, as a reader of this website, are totally and completely responsible for your own health and healthcare. Subscribe now in to enjoy this feature. Lamictal also has been studied as a possible treatment for obesity in people without epilepsy or bipolar disorder. Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Paul Reynolds. Close Bipolar Disorder Community 5.02k Members Lamictal weight loss kgill78. The phase IV clinical study is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 63,927 people who have side effects when taking Lamictal from the FDA, and is updated regularly. for the placebo recipients. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. The open-label study included a 5-week titration phase with a target dose of lamotrigine set at 200 mg per day. Merideth noted that, unlike most mood stabilizers, lamotrigine isn’t associated with weight gain. Average weight changes as a result of lamotrigine administration ranged from -0.38 kg to +1 kg – for an overall average of +0.68 lbs. Amitriptyline (Elavil) Withdrawal Symptoms + How Long Do They Last? The aforementioned researchers conducted a retrospective observational analysis with electronic primary healthcare records from over 1 million adult patients in Wales – all of whom were over the age of 18 and diagnosed with epilepsy. If you gained weight while using Lamictal, you may experience some weight loss in withdrawal. (And Why It Happens). 2004: Safety and tolerability of lamotrigine for bipolar disorder. Researchers conducted a post-hoc analysis of data from multiple 18-month double-blind, placebo-controlled trials consisting of 155 obese and 399 non-obese patients. 1. Usually, an unrecognized cancer will have other symptoms or abnormalities of laboratory tests, in addition to unexplained weight loss.