What Happens if You Take Lamictal and Are Not Bipolar?
The current selection of treatment options for bipolar personality disorder is reasonably wide. It ranges from medicines of various types to psychotherapeutic interventions. Bipolar patients usually receive some or a mix of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Lamictal is a medication that is a calming solution for overexcited nerves. One should carefully follow medical instructions when taking Lamictal as a prescription drug. This article will explore what happens if you take Lamictal and are not bipolar.
What Does Lamictal Do If You Are Not Bipolar?
Lamictal is one of the brand names for lamotrigine. It primarily works as an anticonvulsant medicine for patients with epilepsy. The drug modulates neuronal membranes and reduces excessive neuronal excitability. It is a much-desired effect both to stop seizures and stabilize mood. That’s how Lamictal came to be used for bipolar people. Research shows that it delays the onset of manic episodes and lightens the blow of depressive periods. [2]
Strictly speaking, the main legitimate reason to use Lamictal beyond bipolar disorder is epilepsy. [4] Its safety and effectiveness for other conditions have been researched, but results vary. More evidence is needed for a widespread prescription of Lamictal for mental health issues like non-BPD depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders and others. Still, a medical specialist may believe that the benefits of the off-label use of Lamictal are higher than the potential risks. That’s why there is a small fraction of users of this drug without epilepsy or bipolar disorders. [1]
As a mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant, Lamictal has exactly those two main effects. People without the mentioned diseases are unlikely to feel any significant changes after using it. However, we are not living in a vacuum with ideal health and habits. Knowing the risks is crucial to avoid unpleasant or life-threatening consequences.
What Happens If You Take Lamictal And Do Not Have Bipolar Disorder?
When one uses Lamictal without relevant diagnoses, the most common consequence is the lack of any therapeutic effect. Studies proving its positive impact on other disorders are inconclusive. There are advocates of using this drug for non-bipolar depression, OCD and depersonalisation disorders. In such cases, patients are usually closely monitored by their medical adviser to measure the risks and positive signals. However, one should never use lamotrigine without a doctor’s prescription. The issue is in the potential side effects occurring even in users not suffering from epilepsy or bipolar.
The most common negative consequences of Lamictal use are mood instability, anxiety or agitation, and suicidal thoughts. A more disturbing, rare side effect is a severe skin rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. [3] Such a reaction happens in response to some medications, among which are epilepsy drugs and lamotrigine specifically. Though a negligible risk, it is mitigated by proper dosage and medical professionals’ careful control over its slow increase. [1]
Another factor to consider is the risk of undesired interaction with other drugs. People treated for epilepsy or bipolar disorder would inform their medical team about all the medications they use. It helps to avoid overdoses of some substances or diminishing the effectiveness of lamotrigine. One can unwillingly mix the drugs with potentially harmful effects without professional advice.
Lamictal is a slow-pace drug aimed at long-term support of patients with bipolar disorder or epilepsy. Psychiatrists prescribe it for its inhibitory effect on overexcited regions of the brain to prolong periods between mania and depression episodes. Its use for other conditions beyond those listed by the manufacturer is not yet a widespread practice. Due to small risks of serious side effects and dangerous interaction with other medicines, Lamictal should be used only with a prescription and in close contact with medical professionals. Contact URP Behavioral Health if you’re looking for effective and safe treatment of any mental health issues.
References
- Four Myths About Lamotrigine. (2021, August 3). Psychiatric Times. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/four-myths-lamotrigine
- Hahn CG, Gyulai L, Baldassano CF, Lenox RH. The current understanding of lamotrigine as a mood stabilizer. J Clin Psychiatry. June 2004 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15291656/
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome. (2017, October 18). Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stevens-johnson-syndrome/
- Lamictal Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing—WebMD. (n.d.). Retrieved 5 February 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8486-7217/lamictal-oral/lamotrigine-oral/details
