Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications How Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Works to Treat Bipolar and Seizure Disorders By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on June 25, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on December 16, 2020 Print Verywell / Catherine Song Lamictal (lamotrigine), a mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant, is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of any anxiety disorders. It is approved to treat bipolar disorder and seizure disorders. When Lamictal went through clinical trials, anxiety as a side effect was reported by 4 % of participants. However, 3% of the control group also reported anxiety, so this would be considered a rare side effect. How Lamictal Works Lamictal was one of the first medications, after lithium, to be approved by the FDA for use in treating bipolar disorder. Although the exact mechanism of action is not entirely known, Lamictal decreases abnormal excitatory activity in the brain. It is also sometimes used to treat other mood symptoms in conditions including borderline personality disorder and dissociative disorders. Though Lamictal showed potential benefit in a small study of people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood stabilizers as a whole are generally not a mainstay in the treatment of PTSD, which is a trauma-related disorder. Common Side Effects of Lamictal Lamictal is generally a well-tolerated medication. That said, the drug needs to be titrated up in dosage slowly. Very serious skin reactions are more likely to occur if your body gets exposed to too much of the medication too quickly. Other side effects of Lamictal include: DizzinessDrowsinessDiarrheaLoss of balanceAbnormal eye movementsTrouble speakingMissed or painful menstrual periodsDouble visionConcentration problemsAppetite lossHair loss (rare, but occurs in some individuals) These side effects may go away in time. If they don't or they're bothersome, contact your doctor. Lamictal Precautions Discuss your health history in detail with your doctor before beginning Lamictal. Potential issues to be aware of include: An allergy to lamotrigine or any other ingredients found in LamictalInteractions with other medications, whether they're over-the-counter, prescription, or simple vitamins and supplementsPregnancy; if you become pregnant while using Lamictal, let your doctor know right awayDrowsiness; don't drive or operate heavy machinery until you have been on Lamictal for a while and are sure of how it affects youDrinking alcohol, which can add to the drowsiness you may already feel from LamictalAutoimmune diseases like lupus, a blood disorder, or a kidney or liver disease Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Lamictal (Lamotrigine) tablets. Lamictal (lamotrigine) chewable dispersible tablets. Updated 2005. Butler M, Urosevic S, Desai P. Treatment for bipolar disorder in adults: A systematic review. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 208. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. August 2018. Zavodnick AD, Ali R. Lamotrigine in the treatment of unipolar depression with and without comorbidities: a literature review. Psychiatr Q. 2012;83(3):371-83. doi:10.1007/s11126-012-9208-4 MedlinePlus. Lamotrigine. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Updated January 15, 2019.