Is lamotrigine an maoi?

Have you ever needed to take medication for something or another, but found yourself lost in a sea of technical jargon and medical lingo? Well, look no further my friend, because today we’re going to answer the question on everyone’s mind: is Lamotrigine an MAOI?

When it comes to mental health medications, all the letters from the alphabet soup can be intimidating. SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs…it’s enough to make your head spin. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.

What is Lamotrigine?

First things first – before we even get into discussing whether Lamotrigine is an MAOI or not, let’s break down what this drug actually is.

Lamotrigine (aka brand name Lamictal) is a medication primarily used as an anticonvulsant. That means that it helps control seizures in people with epilepsy. However (!), like many drugs initially developed for one specific purpose (cough cough Viagra cough cough), doctors eventually discovered that it could also help treat other conditions too.

In this case, those conditions tend to fall within two main categories:

1) Bipolar disorder

It does so by stabilizing mood swings.

2) Major depressive disorder

It does so as part of a larger treatment plan.

So there you have it – Lamictal 101!

So Is It An MAOI Or Not?

Alrighty then folks…this is probably why most of y’all are reading this article anyways amirite?! The short answer: Nope!

But let’s back up for just one sec here…

MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors) are a type of antidepressant medication ¯\(ツ)/¯. They work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which increases levels of certain chemicals in your brain that can improve your mood.

So where does Lamotrigine come in? Well, it actually has nothing to do with MAOIs at all (sorry to disappoint)!

Lamictal works differently – mainly by regulating glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. In this way, it helps stabilize moods and prevent seizures.

That Sounds Important! How Do I Take It?

Ah yes…the ever important question of actually taking a medication. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Generally speaking, you’ll start on a low dose and slowly work your way up over time so that your body can adjust.

  • This is especially true if you’re using Lamotrigine as part of bipolar disorder treatment plan

Fun Fact:
If there’s one thing to remember about taking mood stabilizers like lamotrigine, it’s consistency.

You should take the exact same amount each day – whether or not you feel like things are going well or poorly ¯\(ツ)

Can’t I Just Get A Generic Version?

Great question my friend! And luckily for us bean counters out there (cough cough me)…

Yes we CAN get generic versions!

Brand name drugs tend to be more expensive because theoretically they have “higher quality control standards”. However (!), for some people who might otherwise struggle financially when trying to afford medication fees (you know who you are), generics provide an affordable alternative without sacrificing efficacy.

Just be sure (!!) that only FDA-approved versions make their way into circulation since off-brand prescription drugs aren’t strictly regulated before hitting pharmacy shelves.

This doesn’t mean go buy bootlegged pills from sketchy marketplaces.

Are There Side Effects?

Ah, the ever popular topic of side effects. And yes, there are some reported side affects that you should be aware of:

  • Nausea

chug a crack open a cold can of ginger ale for this one

  • Dizziness

hold on tight to your sense and sensibility

  • Blurred vision

try out those classic librarian glasses for style AND function

Fun Fact:

The likelihood and severity of these (or other) symptoms will vary depending on each individual patient’s unique medical history‼

So…to Recap!

There ya have it folks – Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant primarily used to regulate glutamate levels in order to stabilize mood swings or prevent seizures. It has nothing (!!) to do whatsoever with MAOIs.

TL;DR

Lamictal is a drug used as an antiepileptic and then discovered its usage for treating other conditions such as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder by regulating glutamate instead of blocking monoamine oxidase like antidepressants such as MAOIs. Though experiencing an array in severe cases, negligible side-effects are nausea, dizziness and blurred visions.Therefore, it provides effective results without requiring MAOI-level protections like tyramine-free diets 🤓

Random Posts