Lamictal drug interactions

[emineo]

I know ingesting RCs while taking SSRIs is a no no.

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of interactions with Lamictal. It's
a phenyltriazine anti-epileptic drug. It's supposed to work through
the sodium channels to regulate neuron "firing" I guess.

However, it's also been used to treat bi-polar disorder and the
mechanism that this happens has not been established. But.. it does
not inhibit serotonin, norepinephrin or dopamine reuptake. Well,
maybe a little, but I'm not sure. Here's a quote I found after a
google search on interactions...

"It also invokes glutamate which is a major excitatory
neurotransmitter in the brain which is responsible for sending
messages from neuron to neuron in 85% of the brain. It also lightly
brushes the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor and the sigma opioid
receptors, which probably account for its lovely antidepressant
properties. Nothing like a combined serotonin and opiate reaction."

It's metabolized by glucuronic acid. So anything that affects
glucuronic acid levels would probably be a bad idea to eat.

In particular, I'm wondering about interactions with DOC, 4-ho-mipt
or even LSD or psylocybin. If anyone knows that any of these screw
with glucuronic acid, I'd apreciate the heads up!!

Anyway, sorry for the length of the post but I'm trying to be careful
and not do something really stupid. However, I know that if I'm really
worried I probably shouldn't risk it at all.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[a-SalviaLover]

In my opinion if you are an epileptic you shouldn't use such drugs but if it doesn't bother you, you shouldn't be scared to try the combo. It would either be interesting or worth nothing. I doubt that it could be more dangerous than other drug interactions. Of course the choise and the risk are yours.Edited by: a-SalviaLover

[Solidly-here]

emineo asks: "I'm wondering if anyone has heard of interactions with Lamictal."


Well, I do not know, but I would be more concerned with What those interactions are. It may just be that it weakens the experience somewhat (or completely), like Ecstasy.


If this is true, thenyou will have nothing to worry about. So just take some, and see if the psychedelic works on you. If you've gotta double the dose (or triple it), you're still OK . . . you'll have your Trip.


If there is something else, you might be one of those with that effect. Then the safest thing to do is refrain. But, you may just Go For IT; then you can see for yourself (and Post your Trip Report, so we will know too).


These chemicals aren't called Research Chemicals for nothing. Each one will have adverse effects for certain people (mostly just physical tremblings, etc.). When one doesn't "work right" for me, I just move on to the next one. I am an RC researcher. I've got 10 more RCs to research; I'll let you know when I am done with my research project.

[DrugPhreak]

Yeah... Research Chemical means do research on yourself. Edited by: DrugPhreak

[emineo]

Okay, one more question for those who may know...

I'm planning on experimenting with very small amounts of DOC
incrementally since I'm taking Lamictal for seizure activity.

I want to increase the dose only when I'm sure all significant
amounts of DOC have been metabolized.

Would DOC be completely eliminated from ones body in say 24
hours or so? On second thought, I'll probably have to wait 7 days
anyway to avoid building a huge tolerance.

Also curious about DMT and salvia. These last such short amounts of
time I'm guessing they are metabolized/eliminated very quickly?Edited by: emineo

[Toltec]

I'm here because; a friend of mine takes Lamictal for Bi polar (for the last 18 mo). I have known this person for 20 years +. We have tripped many times, in our past together absent the Lamictal, we know what psychedelics /LSD is like. (This person has never, had a bad trip ether)

Well one day many moons ago we both took, very large does of LSD, enough to make me question my: Reality ego loss thingy go'n on in my head ;-)

My friend "DID NOT FEEL ANYTHING!!!" in fact he/she went to bed an hour after taking LSD sleeping sound the entire night leaving me in the other world,,,, so to speak.

The next day while attempting to grasp reality again; I ask, did you really take that LSD or not? I have never seen anyone in my tripping experiences not feel a strong dose of clean LSD. I am bewildered!!!

So take it for what it is, I tell now lie here for research sake.

A Question;
This person feels robed, and wonders how long he/she should stop taking Lamictal so they can give LSD another go. Then again does anyone really know? I feel 2 weeks should be fine.

Any answers would really be welcomed
cheers

[bloot]

To the original poster, Lamictal ( Lamotrigine ) is not an SSRI.

[snapper]

Lamictal has proven to be very effective for bipolar disorder and has the least nasty (in fact near non-existent) side effect profile of all the mood stabilizers. All the others are potentially very nasty. It is common for it to be prescribed with an SSRI for bipolars. There is little information about recreational drug interactions, though.
SWIM would never recommend combining any psychiatric medication with psychedelics, but please post if SWIY should hear of any experiences. Since schizophenia and bipolar disorder are though to have similar mechanisms, and even more that both are very involved in poor regulation of brain glutamate, there is a good chance that it would diminish the effect of a psychedelic, though with DOC, the stimulant effect might still be present.
Be careful if entertaining this type of experimentation.

[Zaprenz]

Originally Posted by snapper

Lamictal has proven to be very effective for bipolar disorder and has the least nasty (in fact near non-existent) side effect profile of all the mood stabilizers.

Not disputing it's efficacy but it hardly has a near non-existent side effect profile. Also two (although rare) - VERY serious skin reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Cautions
Closely monitor and consider withdrawal if rash, fever, or other signs of hypersensitivity syndrome develop; avoid abrupt withdrawal (taper off over 2 weeks or longer) unless serious skin reaction occurs; hepatic impairment (Appendix 2); renal impairment (Appendix 3); pregnancy (see section 4.8.1 and Appendix 4); breast-feeding (Appendix 5); interactions: see Interactions in section 4.8.1 and Appendix 1 (lamotrigine)

Blood disorders
The CSM has advised prescribers to be alert for symptoms and signs suggestive of bone-marrow failure such as anaemia, bruising, or infection. Aplastic anaemia, bone-marrow depression and pancytopenia have been associated rarely with lamotrigine.

Side-effects: rash (see Skin Reactions, below); hypersensitivity syndrome (possibly including rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatic dysfunction, blood disorders, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ dysfunction); nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hepatic dysfunction; headache, fatigue, dizziness, sleep disturbances, tremor, movement disorders, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, occasional increase in seizure frequency; blood disorders (including leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia—see Blood Disorders, above); arthralgia; lupus erythematosus-like effect; photosensitivity; nystagmus, diplopia, blurred vision, conjunctivitis

Skin reactions Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (rarely with fatalities) have developed especially in children; most rashes occur in the first 8 weeks. Rash is sometimes associated with hypersensitivity syndrome (see Side-effects, above) and is more common in patients with history of allergy or rash from other antiepileptic drugs. Consider withdrawal if rash or signs of hypersensitivity syndrome develop. The CSM has advised that factors associated with increased risk of serious skin reactions include concomitant use of valproate, initial lamotrigine dosing higher than recommended, and more rapid dose escalation than recommended.

Counselling
Warn patients to see their doctor immediately if rash or signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity syndrome develop

[snapper]

True, but still better than all the others (ie-depakote and lithium) which have guarenteed side effects, most of them debilitating.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Agreed

[Zaprenz]

Originally Posted by emineo

It's metabolized by glucuronic acid. So anything that affects glucuronic acid levels would probably be a bad idea to eat.

In particular, I'm wondering about interactions with DOC, 4-ho-mipt
or even LSD or psylocybin. If anyone knows that any of these screw
with glucuronic acid, I'd apreciate the heads up!!

Glucoronidation is involved in the metabolism of many drugs. It basically makes specific molecules (active drugs or their metabolites) more water soluble so they can be excreted via the kidneys.

SWIM wouldn't be surprised at all if all four compounds (DOC, 4-ho-Mipt, LSD & psilocyin) had metabolites or at least small fraction that were metabolised through glucoronidation.
^To SWIM that's not the real concern. DOC is a research chemical(an unknown) and more importantly a very potent one and it's effects are probably going to be part blocked by lamotrigine - confusing dosing. This is just SWIMs opinion and please only take it as such but combining them doesn't sound a good idea for a number of reasons.


Snapper: Agreed if a person doesn't get the rare and nasty side effects from lamotrigine, the common ones could well be less debilitating and more easy to live with.