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| HOME > About Bipolar Disorder | |
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About Bipolar DisorderEmotional highs and lows are part of life for everyone. But, if you have bipolar disorder, these ups and downs can be so extreme that they can interfere with your daily life. Sometimes they can even be dangerous. One day you may feel so depressed that you cannot get out of bed, and you do not enjoy the things you used to. Work seems impossible. On another day you may feel great, full of energy and creativity. On days like these, people around you might think that your actions are reckless and out of control. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong medical condition that can be confusing and unpredictable--but you do not have to be embarrassed. It can be hard for people with the condition and for their families and friends. While there is no cure, the good news is that there are many treatments available to help treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Learn more
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Important Safety Information about LAMICTAL Prescription LAMICTAL Tablets are not for everyone. Most people who take LAMICTAL tolerate it well. Common side effects with LAMICTAL include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tremor, and rash. LAMICTAL may cause other side effects not listed here. If you develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about, or if you need more information, call your doctor. Although most patients who develop a rash while receiving LAMICTAL have mild to moderate symptoms, some individuals may develop a serious skin reaction that requires hospitalization. It is not possible to predict whether a mild rash will develop into a more serious one. Rarely, deaths have been reported. These serious skin reactions are most likely to happen within the first 8 weeks of treatment with LAMICTAL. Serious skin reactions occur more often in children than in adults. Rashes may be more likely to occur if you: take LAMICTAL in combination with valproate (brand names are Depakene® (valproic acid)* and Depakote® (divalproex sodium)*), take a higher starting dose of LAMICTAL than your doctor prescribed, or increase your dose of LAMICTAL faster than prescribed. If you experience any of the following with or without a skin rash, tell your doctor immediately: hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, or swelling of lips or tongue. These symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A doctor should evaluate your condition and determine if you should continue taking LAMICTAL. Serious blood problems or liver problems have been reported with LAMICTAL, so tell your doctor if you develop symptoms such as unusual bruising or bleeding, severe muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and/or frequent infections. You should not take LAMICTAL if you had an allergic reaction to it in the past. LAMICTAL is indicated for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder to delay the time to occurrence of mood episodes (depression, mania, hypomania, mixed episodes) in adults treated for acute mood episodes with standard therapy. The effectiveness of LAMICTAL in the acute treatment of mood episodes has not been established. |
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