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Lamictal Withdrawal Symptoms

July 6, 2026

Lamictal is an anti-epileptic medication that has also proved to be effective at easing acute mood episodes due to bipolar disorder. Though it is safe for long-term use, if you abruptly stop taking the medication you can develop a variety of unpleasant Lamictal withdrawal symptoms.

Time Wellness Arkansas offers medication management services and an array of evidence-based therapies to help adults whose lives have been disrupted by bipolar disorder, other mental health concerns, and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Learn more about our bipolar disorder treatment in Arkansas or verify your insurance now.

What Is Lamictal?

Lamictal is the brand name of a prescription medication that contains lamotrigine. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994, and has also been available as a generic since 2008.

The FDA’s initial approval of Lamictal was as an adjunctive treatment for people who had been experiencing certain types of seizures. Adjunctive treatment means that it should be used in combination with another medication.

Through the years, the FDA expanded its approval to include monotherapy for seizures (meaning no other meds are required) as well as the long-term management of some bipolar disorder symptoms. Some doctors also prescribe Lamictal on an off-label basis to treat patients with migraines, facial nerve pain, panic disorder, and binge-eating disorder.

Lamictal is sold as standard tablets, chewable tablets, and tablets that dissolve in the mouth.

Is Lamictal Safe?

If you use Lamictal as directed by your physician, the medication can be safe and effective on both a short- and long-term basis. However, as with virtually every other prescription drug, Lamictal use has been linked with a variety of mild to severe side effects.

Lamictal’s more common side effects include:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Double vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Runny nose
  • Dry mouth
  • Sore throat
  • Coordination problems
  • Nausea  
  • Rash
  • Insomnia

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has reported that Lamictal can also cause severe adverse effects, though these are thankfully far less common. 

Potential serious side effects related to Lamictal use include:

  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: Symptoms of this potentially life-threatening condition include painful sores in the mouth and near the eyes, shortness of breath, blistering or peeling of the skin, and rash or hives.
  • Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH): Another potentially fatal effect, HLH is characterized by swelling of the face, tongue, and lymph nodes; severe muscle pain; jaundice; and unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Aseptic meningitis: This condition involves the swelling of the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms can include fever, chills, vomiting, stiff neck, increased sensitivity to light, and confusion.
  • Suicidal ideation: Study participants who took Lamotrigine and other anti-epileptic medications were twice as likely as those who took placebo to have suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Lamictal Withdrawal Symptoms

Lamictal does not pose the same risk of addiction that drugs like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines can. It doesn’t produce a mind-altering high, nor does it cause powerful urges to use it in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than intended.

But it does share one important characteristic with addictive drugs. People who use it for an extended period can develop withdrawal symptoms if they abruptly stop using it.

What Causes Withdrawal?

When you use a substance on a regular basis, your body may adapt to its continued presence in your system. This is true of both illicit recreational drugs as well as legal prescription medications such as Lamictal. Your body’s adaptions can involve ceding some responsibilities, such as maintaining appropriate levels of various brain chemicals, to the substance. 

When your body is suddenly deprived of the substance, it will temporarily struggle to resume full control of these responsibilities. During that time, you can experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms.

Some drugs, such as opioids and alcohol, can cause extremely distressing withdrawal symptoms. In cases of severe alcoholism, withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be life-threatening if not managed appropriately.

What Happens During Lamictal Withdrawal?

Lamictal withdrawal symptoms usually aren’t especially severe, but they can be quite unpleasant, which can make it difficult for people to stop using the medication.

Common physical symptoms of Lamictal withdrawal include:

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Headache
  • “Brain zaps” that feel like brief electrical shocks
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Tingling in arms and legs
  • Muscle tension or pain

Lamictal withdrawal symptoms can also include psychological effects such as:

  • Anxiety 
  • Irritability
  • Panic attacks
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Difficulty focusing and concentrating
  • Forgetfulness

Can You Avoid Lamictal Withdrawal Symptoms?

Lamictal withdrawal symptoms are most likely to occur if you abruptly stop using the medication. The best way to avoid these symptoms, or at least minimize their intensity and duration, is to consult with your doctor first to set up a tapering schedule.

Slowly reducing your Lamictal use over a period of a few weeks will give your body time to slowly adjust to the diminished presence of the medication. 

In addition to making the withdrawal process less difficult, a tapering plan can also reduce your risk of severe “rebound symptoms,” such as seizures if you had been taking the med to manage epilepsy.

Your doctor can also help you determine the best next steps once you’ve completely ended your Lamictal use. Depending on why you were taking it, this may involve switching to a different medication and/or participating in therapy sessions to help you maintain your health.

Find Mental Health Treatment in Arkansas

If you have bipolar disorder and are looking for an alternative to Lamictal to better manage your symptoms, Time Wellness Arkansas is here to help.

Our mental health treatment center in Fayetteville, AR, is a trusted source of personalized outpatient care for adults who have mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders, or dual diagnosis.

Treatment options include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and virtual (online) care. In each of these programs, you can expect to receive customized services and compassionate support from a team of highly skilled professionals. Working together, we can help you find your path toward a much healthier and more hopeful future.

Call 479-336-6895 today to learn more, or verify your insurance now.