Lamictal Withdrawal

As with most seizure medications, stopping Lamictal -- especially stopping it suddenly or too quickly -- is not recommended without your healthcare provider's approval. Doing so increases your risk of seizures, the most significant symptom of Lamictal withdrawal. To prevent this and other Lamictal withdrawal symptoms from occurring, your healthcare provider will likely wean you off the drug slowly.

 

Lamictal Withdrawal: An Introduction

Lamictal® (lamotrigine) is a prescription medication used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. As with most medications for seizures, stopping Lamictal is not recommended without your healthcare provider's approval. Stopping the drug quickly is also not recommended. Although Lamictal is not addicting and is not likely to be abused, stopping it too quickly can cause seizures to become worse.
 
However, there are some situations that may require stopping Lamictal quickly, such as dangerous Lamictal side effects, including life-threatening skin rashes (see Lamictal Rash).
 

Symptoms of Lamictal Withdrawal

The most significant Lamictal withdrawal symptom is a seizure. Stopping the drug suddenly can increase your risk of seizures even if you have never had a seizure before. These seizures can be especially severe and very difficult to control.
 

Limiting Lamictal Withdrawal

In most cases, your healthcare provider will suggest that you wean yourself off Lamictal slowly to avoid seizures or other Lamictal withdrawal symptoms. Even if you are switching to another epilepsy medication, your healthcare provider may still recommend stopping the drug slowly. The exact way your healthcare provider suggests you stop taking Lamictal will vary, depending on your Lamictal dosage, how long you have been taking it, and whether you are starting a new seizure medication.
 
If you stop taking Lamictal before you have reached an effective dose of your new medication (or if your new medication does not work for you), you are still at risk for seizures. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before stopping Lamictal. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you notice any bothersome symptoms after stopping the drug.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;