Caffeine And Lamictal Information
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Caffeine And Lamictal Information in Q&A
Does anyone know how caffeine, tobacco, & alcohol affect people who are taking Lamictal for Bipolar II? My psychologist says these substances take away the benefits of the medication, Lamictal. But I just dont see a problem with them. If anything, Im taking this medication for nothing if I feel fine and still consume these three things. I dont know how he can expect me to give up caffeine & tobacco, but the alcohol I know I have to keep under control. He says that by consuming these three substances, the medication doesnt do it's job. However, I have yet to find anything on the internet to support this. To be honest, I dont think I needed the Lamictal at all. I went on it by his recommendation when I wanted to get off Cymbalta, which I was prescribed during a bad year of death in the family....for Stress. My stress is now under control. And Im thinking the Lamictal isnt doing anything since I consume these 3 things pretty regularly. Ive been on Lamictal for about 5 months. I kinda think these dr's just want to support the pharmacuetical companies and drain our insurance benefits.

Tyler D replied: "no it doesnt."

&& a noula; BETCHHh replied: "My sister has Bipolar I and I'm not sure of the medication she is taking, but she did quit smoking, although I don't think it affected her medication, and I'm not sure about tobacco, but I know for sure that alcohol+medication is a terrible mix, especially if you take more than one medication. So, in my opinion, I'd say stay away from too much alcohol, I think a BIT would be OKAY, if you really wanted it."

lexi m replied: "I take: Lamictal 200 mg (mood stabilizer) Abilify 10 mg (for depression) Geodon 40 mg (for mania) I don't think Lamictal does that much either besides make me a little more calm. I just stay on it as sort of an insurance policy against a bad day or series of days. Also my doctor really wants me on a mood stabilizer. Personally, I think the Geodon and the Abilify are the work horses in terms of medication. But back to your question. I drink caffeine on these medications with no problems whatsoever. (Coffee, tea, diet soda). I also have drunk alcohol on this med mix and it was totally normal. I do not drink very often, but I'm not afraid to drink on it. As far as tobacco-- in the mental hospital we had a smoke room and I smoked like a chimney. It's boring there and smoking is a very social thing to do. But outside the hospital, I don't smoke. But if they allowed smoking in the hospital (which they don't anymore, but this was 3 years ago) I think smoking isn't going to wreck the med mix. So there you have it. I don't think these factors are that big of a deal when it comes to Lamictal. I don't think these factors make the medication "not do its job." As far as quitting Lamictal. Try quitting under doctor supervision. Taper down slowly. Maybe it isn't really doing anything or maybe it is stabilizing you. For me, I'll probably be on meds for life, but maybe you don't need this med. You can always go back on it. ~Good Luck~"

Lamictal!!? Alright, so I had posted a question earlier about Lamictal because I was nervous about taking it. Well, today I took my first pill and I'm still uber nervous about gaining weight!!!! I figure I'll take it for a week or so and if I notice any weight gain, I'm going to stop. Does this sound like a good idea?? Also, if anyone else has anymore experiences (positive or negative) with this drug, let me know. And I hope caffeine will not make this drug have any weird effects on me because I drink tons of it....Get back to me! =D

Amy W replied: "My mom was on Risperdal for 2 years and gained almost 80 pounds. As soon as they took her off and put her on Lamictal, she dropped the weight and hasn't gained it back."

smartaudrey replied: "Hi there: I have been taking Lamictal for about 2 months now. I am a bit overweight. I have battled it my whole life. I have not gained any additional weight on this medication. If you are just starting on this med you should be on the 25mgs for 2 weeks, then 50mgs for 2 weeks then 100 mgs for 2 weeks then 200 mgs as a therapeutic dose. I think you may want to at least get to the theraputic dose before you write it off. There is another med called topamax which works in the same way and it helps with pain if you want to expand your options. (for bipolar disorder). I understand your concerns but I have not had any side effects. It doesnt interact with any of my other meds (Cymbalta, birth control etc.). Studies show that there are relatively benign side effects to this medication anyway. I take it for bipolar disorder, not epilepsy. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me! Good luck honey! -Audrey"

Can caffeine be beneficial to an Epilepsy patient? My daughter is 12 and was diagnosed epileptic & mildly ADD 2 years ago. Her seizures are controlled with Lamictal. She has difficulty getting a good night's sleep. I am very careful to limit caffeinated beverages. Yesterday I caved and let her have a bottled Starbucks mocha at about 5pm. She woke up this morning and commented that she had the best night's sleep ever. Could the crash from the caffeine actually helped her sleep better?

mileyrae_82 replied: "That is very possible but would not do it every night because the caffeine can start to make her ADD worse. She will also become immune to the caffeine making her sleepy to. I have drank coffee for years and now do not get the same results as I did when i first started drinking it."

Are Lamictal, Ritalin, Adderall, Effexor, fish oil, gingko biloba, caffeine, aspirin, tylenol, darvocet, and ? yerba mate, it would not let me finish in the title. What I am asking is if this is a bad combination of drugs. I took all these today! YES, I am prescribed on all the prescription drugs, for various reasons. thanks for the gingko suggestion - no, my doctor is not prescribing any of the alternative medicine; i choose to take the fish oil and gingko. i have been on all kinds of meds over the years, for a variety of diagnoses - bipolar, depression, adhd, schizoaffective, etc. I recently injured my ankle, and am on darvocet for pain, as needed, and aspirin for a toothache. Lol! I also love my yerba mate tea, and almost everything has caffeine these days. So you see, it just ended up that this is almost my daily routine for a little while. As for the ritalin/adderall combo, I will heed your advice as well and limit my workouts until my medication is lowered. thanks all!

Carol replied: "Ask your Pharmacist."

ReggieR replied: "Obviously these are not all from the same doctor, but more importantly-do the doctor(s) know you are taking all of this-including the OTC medications. Just curious what is the diagnosis that they doctors are treating you for. Ritalin and adderall are both amphetamine type drugs and doubling up can be hard on your heart."

Keyser SoSo replied: "I don't understand this combination of drugs. Are you epileptic, depressed, bipolar? I'm really doubting the credentials of your doctor... is he/she practicing psychiatry and homeopathy at the same time? Does he even know what he's doing? Do you know what these drugs do? First make DAMN sure you're seeing a psychiatrist if you're on all that stuff. A family doctor will NOT cut it. Ok Lamictal can prevent seizures, and arguably alleviate depression a bit as well as stabilize moods. Adderall and Ritalin are both stimulants used to help you focus. Caffeine and Yerba Mate are the same thing.. caffeine. Aspirin, Tylenol, Darvocet... all pain relievers. Gingko Biloba... supposedly helping alleviate moods... DROP THIS NOW. This herb should not be taken with Effexor and Lamictal. It could cause seizures If you want to research the topic look up contraindications. This is the effect of drugs interacting with each other. Please ask your doctor (I hope psychiatrist) WHY he is prescribing 1)Lamictal - a mood stablizer with 2)Caffeine - a substance that messes with your moods really badly. 1)What the f*ck he's thinking prescribing you gingko biloba with effexor and lamictal. My final advice... drop this person right away and get another psychiatrist."

piji_caj replied: "It's won't kill you, however the Lamictal+Effexor+Ritalin+Adderall+Fish oil+caffeine can make you manic. Make sure you let your psychiatrist know that you're taking all of this stuff, so you don't end up in the hospital."

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