Will lamotrigine cause weight gain

Federal government websites often end in. The site is secure. Approximately half of all patients with diagnosed bipolar disorder are prescribed 2 or more psychotropic medications. Lamotrigine was approved in for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder.

Most studies investigating bipolar disorder medications and weight loss have found evidence they cause weight gain instead. People with bipolar disorder BD experience periods of high and low moods. These are sometimes referred to as mania and depression, respectively. The impact of BD on daily life can vary from person to person. However, treatments and support are available, including medication.

Will lamotrigine cause weight gain

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. If you're concerned that taking the medication Lamictal lamotrigine may cause you to gain weight, there's good news. It probably won't affect your weight much at all. If anything, you're more likely to lose weight because of Lamictal than to gain weight, but either way, the changes will probably be pretty small. The effect of Lamictal on weight has been studied quite a bit and various clinical trials have found a minimal impact gain. In fact, some researchers even have looked at the drug as a possible treatment for obesity and as a treatment for binge-eating disorder. This should be reassuring to people with bipolar disorder since so many medications used to treat the condition can cause weight gain. Lamictal is an anticonvulsant medication that can be used to treat seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. It's also used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. The researchers didn't disclose how much weight the patients gained or lost. Meanwhile, a study comparing the effects on weight of Lamictal, lithium , and a placebo found that obese patients taking Lamictal lost an average of four pounds, while non-obese patients' weight remained essentially the same.

Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder revision Am J Psychiatry.

Lamotrigine is a medication commonly prescribed to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. As with any medication, there are often concerns about potential side effects. One question that frequently arises is whether lamotrigine can cause weight gain. In this article, we will explore the relationship between lamotrigine and weight, debunk any myths surrounding this topic, and provide tips for managing weight while taking lamotrigine. Before diving into the discussion about weight gain, it is important to have a clear understanding of what lamotrigine is and its role in treating epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine, also known by its brand name Lamictal, is an antiepileptic drug that belongs to a class of medications called mood stabilizers. It is commonly used to control seizures and stabilize mood in individuals with epilepsy and bipolar disorder, respectively.

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. If you're concerned that taking the medication Lamictal lamotrigine may cause you to gain weight, there's good news. It probably won't affect your weight much at all. If anything, you're more likely to lose weight because of Lamictal than to gain weight, but either way, the changes will probably be pretty small. The effect of Lamictal on weight has been studied quite a bit and various clinical trials have found a minimal impact gain.

Will lamotrigine cause weight gain

Most mood stabilizers used to help treat bipolar disorder are known to cause weight gain. However, Lamictal is less likely to cause weight gain. Lamictal is a brand name for the drug lamotrigine. As an anticonvulsant, it helps treat seizures. As a mood stabilizer, it helps lengthen the time between extreme mood episodes in bipolar disorder. Most mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder are known to cause weight gain. The way a mood stabilizer affects your weight depends on many things, such as how severe your disorder is and what other conditions you have. Unlike most mood stabilizers, though, Lamictal is less likely to cause weight gain. In clinical trials, less than 5 percent of those taking Lamictal gained weight. If you take Lamictal and have gained weight, the weight gain may be an effect of the disorder itself.

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In some cases, if weight gain becomes a significant concern, your doctor may explore alternative treatment options for epilepsy or bipolar disorder that have a lower likelihood of causing weight changes. Share Feedback. Healthy eating, keeping physically active and getting psychological counseling psychotherapy can all help. Share this article. Research investigating the potential link between lamotrigine and weight gain is limited. With Daniel K. These could be side effects of Lamictal. Patients were not randomly assigned to concomitant medications, and selection biases may have affected the results of the present analysis. Talk to your doctor about your concerns in order to determine if Lamictal is right for you. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. In clinical trials, less than 5 percent of those taking Lamictal gained weight. Was this page helpful?

While this phase IV clinical study alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship, Weight increased is found in people who have side effects when taking Lamotrigine. Weight increased is reported especially by people who are female, old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 6 months, also take Abilify and have Depression.

If you have moderate liver or kidney damage, your body may not process Lamictal as well as it should. They can also work as a long-term mood stabilizer. Merideth CH. Quality-of-life scores improved significantly more in patients not receiving than in those receiving concomitant antipsychotics. Lamictal is an anticonvulsant medication that can be used to treat seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. Continued changes in mood from bipolar disorder can affect your motivation to exercise or follow a healthy meal plan. You can also talk with your doctor. Unlike most mood stabilizers, though, Lamictal is less likely to cause weight gain. Avoid skipping meals and try to maintain regular eating patterns. This may lead to digestive symptoms including diarrhea , nausea , and vomiting. However, temporary side effects can include:. PLOS One. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Lamictal. In conclusion, lamotrigine is a valuable medication for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder.