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Q: Had Confusion & Disorientation while on Lithium & Lamictal
My new psych doctor put me on 450 mg of litium in addition to 100 mg
of lamictal. I have been taking lamictal for two years now but recently had an
episode where I sought new help. While on the new combo of lithium and lamictal
I have had a few bad expeiences of confusion and disorintation. My doctor said
it was just breakthorugh anxiety. I have never experienced this before and
immediately stopped taking the lithium but maintained lamictal at my old level
of 200mg. No more confusion but going against doctors advice. I believe that my
doctor does not know enough about the interaction effects or side effects of
combining lamictal and lithium. I believe this may have been the cause of the
disorintation and confusion. My lithium blood levels checked out at .3. Do you
think the confusion and disorientation might be breakthru anxiety or do you
think there are side effects not known yet by the medical profession regarding
combining lamictal and lithium?
Thank you !
Mike,
The confusion and disorientation is probably secondary to the lithium itself
rather than the combination of the lithium and lamictal. These side effects
are uncommon with lithium but certainly do happen. I would encourage you to
meet with your psychiatrist to discuss alternatives to the lithium since you
have had a recent mood episode not controlled by the lamictal alone.
Dr Plyler
Published May, 2011
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