Lamictal and lithium for manic depressive disorder.?

Question

I was recantly diagnosed with manic depressive disorder. And my psych put me on lemictal and lithium which has been working wonders. I have a question though are they considered anti depressants cause i know the doc told me they were mood stablizeres. The reason is i might start taking an herb, but one of the warning labels on it says to not take with anti depressants. So i need to know if the lemictal and lithium are considered anti depressants

Answer 1

Nooo, don't do it. Lamictal is an anticonvulsant and technically Lithium is an antpsychotic, but both are used as mood satbilisers. Hwever, Lamictal is also a fairly effective antidepressant.

I presume you are talking about St John's Wort, which is a natural antidepressant. You are right to be concerned, because there is no control over the concentration or purity of non-regulated supplements, and this could play havoc with your meds and put you at risk of serotonin syndrome. If you need a lift, then talk to your doc about adding an antidepressant to your mix.

Answer 2

I wouldn't suggest you try any herbs without consulting your doctor even though neither lamictal nor lithium are antidepressants. Lamictal is actually an anticonvulsant medication designed to be used to control seizures. Both of your meds have been found to be very effective in treating bipolar disoder and I wouldn't add anything to the mix without your doctor's permission. Both are considered mood stabilizers.

Answer 3

Lamictal and Lithium are NOT antidepressants. The two aforementioned medications are anticonvulsants, used to treat epileptic seizures or treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder. In essence, they provide stabilization, thus dissipating rapid cycling (mood swings) as an adjunct treatment to Psychotherapy.

I think it's gerat that you're feeling good - but you're not experiencing bipolar depression, as anticonvulsants do not aliviate depression. Oftentimes, somoene afflicted with bipolar disorder will become depressed in dealing with negative effects of rapid cycling. Once stabilized you're able to think clearly and regain some level of normalcy, thus dissipating natural depression. For bipolar depression, an adjunct antidepressant can be prescribed, such as Wellbutrin.

How anticonvulsants work in your brain to treat bipolar disorder is actually unknown. It's theorized that the medications bonds to electrochemical sodium and calcium channels in the brain. Yes, there is some electricity going on there.

With my homemade pschiatry degree, I'm not qualified to tell you whether or not taking this herb will be harmful to you. Chances are it won't, but if it has any effect on your bodys sodium and calcium levels, it could possibly give you an uncomfortable reaction, but that's purely speculatory on my part.

Show the Herb to your doc and ask him/her if you are in the clear. I assume that you'll be fine.

Hope all goes well.

Answer 4

Class-wise, your doctor is right--Lamictal and Lithium are mood stabilizers (implying emphasis on neither mania nor depression). Lamictal is an anticonvulsant and Lithium is a salt. Neither are traditional antidepressants, but because they combat both sides of bipolar, they do treat depression (especially Lamictal).

The herb's counterindication to antidepressants could refer to any number of things:
-It could cause depression (which is bad whether your taking antidepressants OR mood stabilizers).
-It could be precautionary to screen out people on MAOIs (a volatile class of drugs with many dangerous interactions).
-The herb could affect absorption and metabolism of psychotropic drugs.
-It could have a chemically dangerous reaction that may or may not be relevant to your current meds.
-It could even affect your meds regimen in ways the label does not indicate.

Short story long, neither of those drugs are antidepressant class drugs, but you should check with a pharmacist and/or your doctor before taking any supplements. You don't want to reverse the positive effects of your medication when you're doing well!

Good luck!

Answer 5

Do not take any herbs! You are on two antidepressants/mood stabilizers. The psychs like the latter term better. Go to webmd and check your side effects from both of the meds, especially watch the lithium--- and whatever you do, DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL. Good luck to you.

Answer 6

Herbs are not regulated by the FDA, and can cause potential complications when combined with prescribed medications. I would strongly advise against taking herbs for manic depression. If you want a more detailed answer, I would recommend consulting with your psychiatrist.

Answer 7

Lamictal is also an anti-convulsant (used to treating seizures). It can also be used in the treatment of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) in adults older than 18 years of age.

You can get more information on Lamictal at:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202786.html

Lithium is used to treat and prevent episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) in people with bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Lithium is in a class of medications called antimanic agents. It works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain.

For more information on Lithium, go to:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a681039.html

Answer 8

they are definately anti-depressants. I don't think you should be taking any herbs without speaking to your doctor. Especially since with lithium you have to be monitored with blood work. So don't go experimenting...and watch the drinking and etc....very dangerous....