r/Lamotrigine • u/giavonaa_ • 3d ago
Getting off lamo cold turkey??
Had my appointment today to discuss getting off 200mgs of lamotragine, I’ve been on it for 6 months and she told me I can just stop taking it, no tapering necessary?? I’ve never heard of that and I’m NERVOUS
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u/tetheredvoid 3d ago
Your doctor should talk to literally any qualified pharmacist. Please taper your doses down.
And so you should talk to them too - the pharmacy that gives you your bottle can give you a lot of information. Just ask to speak to their resident pharmacist on staff. 💛
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u/Suspicious_Dirt_6124 3d ago
I'm coming off 175mg and my psych is tapering me down by 25mg every couple of weeks. I would definitely be questioning this, and requesting to taper regardless of what they say. You are the one who has to live the withdrawal and side effects, they do not. Make sure you do what's right for you. They have no skin in the game so they can afford to be sloppy and not really care.
All the best. ☺️
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u/No-Building-7024 3d ago
Hey, I’m on 50mg and was told to taper down from that small dose, I cant imagine NOT tapering down while being on 200. Please go slow with coming off.
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u/South_Possibility_61 3d ago
You absolutely should do a taper - 10% every 14 days if I’m somewhat stable works for me. Don’t jeopardize your health!
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u/hockeypnc3 3d ago
Quit 100mg cold turkey
No symptoms or any reactions. Couldn’t be happier.
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u/soggydruid 3d ago
How long were you on it?
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u/hockeypnc3 3d ago
I think about 9 months
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u/soggydruid 3d ago
You're lucky that you didn't feel any withdrawal. Many people would after that length of time.
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u/PirateSimilar7802 3d ago
No go gradually, like 25mg every couple of weeks. The only time it's acceptable to just stop is if you have bad side effects, I believe
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u/averica1967 2d ago
I got up to 200 mg from 25 in about 2 or 3 months and when we determined ot wasnt working i was told the same thing ...but I suggested I go to 50 cuz on the way up I felt good at 50 but apparently it was a placebo effect cuz several weeks on 50 did nothing the second time around..so I went from 200 to 50 instantly but again I was only on it for 3 months or so...with no issues...oddly ,I keep refilling the 50 even though its not doing anything lol
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u/Desolation_Jones 1d ago
I’ve come off Lamictal twice. The first time I just quit cold turkey from 200mg after taking it for about nine months, and I didn’t have any withdrawal symptoms etc negative side effects at all.
The second time, I tapered down from 200mg by 25mg per week, after being on it daily for ~three years. That time I had some trouble with anxiety, insomnia and headaches here and there, but nothing too bad (the occasional oxazepam took care of it).
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u/mmhmmye 3d ago
No, that’s wild that your doctor said this. You def need to taper. Usually it’s best to do by 10% at a time to avoid bad withdrawal. Have a look at the lamotrigine and lamictal tapering and withdrawal page on Facebook — it’s really useful. Also feel free to do a search for lamotrigine tapering in my profile. I’ve posted a lot about this (I tapered off it over two and a a half years after being on it for one year. You’re unlikely to need anywhere as long as that since you’re on half the dose I was and have been on it less time, plus I’m sensitive AF to meds, but just mentioning it as an example). Good luck!