Lamotrigine (Lamictal) for Bipolar Disorder
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3015 N Ocean Blvd, STE C101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (754) 270-6322
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) at One Stop Psychiatry
Lamotrigine, sold as Lamictal, is a mood stabilizer used in bipolar I disorder to help keep mood episodes from coming back. It has to be started slowly, and you need to know what to watch for, so regular follow-ups matter. We see patients in Fort Lauderdale and by video anywhere in Florida.
What Is Lamotrigine?
Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant. It’s also used for some types of seizures, but in psychiatry it’s used as a mood stabilizer. It comes as regular, chewable, dissolving and extended-release tablets. Brand names include Lamictal, Lamictal CD, Lamictal ODT and Lamictal XR.
What Is Lamotrigine Used For in Psychiatry?
In bipolar I disorder, lamotrigine is used to lengthen the time between episodes of depression, mania and other mood changes. It hasn’t been shown to treat an episode that’s already happening, so your provider may use other treatment for that.
Is Lamotrigine Right for Me?
Your provider will ask about your mood history, past treatments, other medications and any past rash from a seizure medication. Be sure to mention valproic acid (Depakene) or divalproex (Depakote), which raise the rash risk, and hormonal birth control, since lamotrigine can make it less effective. Kids and teens are more likely than adults to get a serious rash on lamotrigine, so your provider weighs that carefully for younger patients.
Getting Started With Lamotrigine
Call (754) 270-6322 or request an appointment online. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Our staff will call you back to check your insurance, send your intake forms and confirm when and where your visit is.
At the first visit, your provider goes over your symptoms, your history, what you’ve already tried and what you’re taking now. You can come to our Fort Lauderdale office or use video from anywhere in Florida.
If Lamotrigine makes sense for you, you’ll hear how to take it, what to expect in the first few weeks and which side effects to call about. If it doesn’t, your provider will talk through other options. Follow-up visits are where the dose gets fine-tuned.
Side Effects of Lamotrigine
Common side effects include loss of balance or coordination, double or blurred vision, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea and nausea.
Get medical help right away for any rash, blistering or peeling skin, hives, or painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes. Also get help for swelling of the face, throat, lips or tongue or trouble breathing; headache with fever, stiff neck, light sensitivity or confusion; seizures that change or get worse; or a racing, skipped or slow heartbeat or fainting.
Important Safety Information
- Lamotrigine can cause a serious rash that may need hospital care. Starting at a higher dose, or raising it faster than prescribed, increases the risk.
- The dose starts low and goes up no more often than once every 1 to 2 weeks. A starter kit may show your daily dose for the first 5 weeks.
- If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it’s almost time for the next one. Never double up. If you’ve stopped taking it, don’t restart on your own. Call your provider first.
- Call your provider right away about new or worse depression, mood changes or thoughts of self-harm.
Related Medications
Common Questions
Why does the dose go up so slowly?
Raising the dose slowly lowers the chance of a serious rash. Your provider will give you a schedule to follow.
What should I do if I get a rash?
Get medical help right away and let your provider know. Don’t wait to see if it goes away.
I stopped taking it for a while. Can I just restart?
Call your provider first. Don’t restart at your old dose on your own.
Can lamotrigine be managed by video?
Yes, after an evaluation, as long as you’re in Florida during the visit and your provider decides it’s appropriate.
Insurance and Cost
We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Optum, and we have sliding-scale rates if you’re paying yourself. We check your coverage before the visit. The price of the medication itself depends on your pharmacy and plan. More on insurance.
We see patients from age 6, and same-day visits are often possible. Several of our providers and staff speak Spanish. Request an appointment or call (754) 270-6322.
We aren’t an emergency service. If you’re thinking about suicide or you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DO, psychiatrist, on October 6, 2026.
Source: MedlinePlus: Lamotrigine (U.S. National Library of Medicine / NIH). This page is general information, not medical advice.