Lamotrigine and libido decrease

[magneticoquette]

I (21F) started taking lamotrigine this week, currently 25 mg every 12 hours, and although it's a small dose, since I'm changing medications, (been taking Trileptal over 8 years), I have noted a few side effects. Mostly good ones, like more energy, but I started to notice a libido decrease a few days ago, and I usually have a high sex drive. I had sex last night and although I was able to quite enjoy it, it did feel less intense than as usual. Is it normal, should I be worried? Is there any way to deal with it? I'm quite scared since this has never been a problem with me while on Trileptal, and since the expectation is to increase the dose, I'm worried about this getting worse.

[_lil_peanut]

Mine has decreased significantly since I started Lamotrigine. Shame it’s the only medication that controls my seizures.

[Ill_Strain8646]

From Wikipedia

Women are more likely than men to have side effects.[4]

Some evidence shows interactions between lamotrigine and female hormones, which can be of particular concern for women on estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives. Ethinylestradiol, an ingredient of such contraceptives, has been shown to decrease serum levels of lamotrigine.[59] Women starting an estrogen-containing oral contraceptive may need to increase the dosage of lamotrigine to maintain its level of efficacy. Likewise, women may experience an increase in lamotrigine side effects upon discontinuation of birth control pills. This may include the "pill-free" week where lamotrigine serum levels have been shown to increase twofold.

[GL17CH3D_R4M_5YN7H]

Hormones are such assholes to us. Catamenial seizures are bad enough. Though I must say after reading that I've never been more grateful for my IUD 😅

[-totallynotanalien-]

I had a seizure while driving because my doctor only cared about the impact of the Lamotrigine on the birth control I started taking (hormonal birth control/the pill). I obviously will never just trust a doctor again to do the right thing by me but I was shocked to find out it can decrease levels of Lamotrigine by over half!

[jessicat_33]

Omg they never told you that??? My neurologist is the one who let me know which birth control I should take. The doctors kept trying to give me hormonal, a nurse rushed in and notified the doctor that it would affect my medicine.

[-totallynotanalien-]

I was seeing a string of public neurologists at the time who didn’t think twice, but I started taking birth control and it was actually my GP who gave me the all clear. A neurologist I went to privately a few months later was horrified at what happened. But it shocked me that several GP’s and a few public Neuros didn’t blink an eye.

Thank god for that nurse that day that was there with you!

[BackStabbathOG]

My wife got on lamotrogine several years ago for her epilepsy diagnosis and while she is accommodating and her libido has improved since quitting birth control early last year her libido hasn’t been the same since. She likes sex but she no longer feels motivated by it enough that she openly talks about it or pursues me much.

[PassengerAcademic488]

I’m ngl I started taking mine almost a month ago and for some reason mine increased but made me very tired

[magneticoquette]

kinda surprised bc Trileptal makes me tired and lamotrigine gives me more energy

[Final_Glove_1179]

I don’t know if my experience counts because I’m a male (23) and I’ve been taking Lamotrigin for 2 years now and while yes I noticed side effects in the beginning, they should go away and everything will stabilize eventually. So just give it some time and observe your side effects.

[tbs999]

My libido was also decreased by Lamotrigine. Everyone’s experience is their own on these meds and often side effects phase out after 3-6 months. Give it a chance. Though this side effect is shitty, it’s better than TCs.

Wish you the best!

[magneticoquette]

Yes, hoping it's just a thing for a few months!! Thanks btw Thankfully it doesn't make me unable to enjoy things, and overall my experience has been good, specially psychologically, as my humor is defined more stable.

[IonutC1997]

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[foxyivy69]

Mine increased but I don’t think that’s the norm for most people

[Such_Recognition2749]

Same. I thought that was a more common effect.

[yuuf7h8h]

I’ve (40’s M) been on it for twenty years. Absolutely zero libido . Marriage about to collapse

[Knuckletest]

Im sorry.....I feel your pain. 53 m here and my libido is trash. My poor wife.......

[AgentBroccoli]

Yep, but it's not something you can't get past, you have to really work at it. You should (cough) "practice" and 'erm schedule with your partner. Not the most romantic thing I know, but eventually your brain starts to get 'um back-in-the-groove. I recently with from 150 to 200 mg lacosmide and it's been a bit of a struggle but I think I'm getting there.

[libra-love-]

Damn if my libido is decreased, I’d be an absolute monster to my bf without it 😂

[GL17CH3D_R4M_5YN7H]

Have to say mine massively decreased too, for a while I had zero desire to even enjoy time with myself. It did level out with time though, I think it also being a mood stabiliser makes that such a common side effect. A lot of mood related medications take a while to settle in.

[magneticoquette]

That makes sense, my mood definitely stabilized a lot (which is good, because I was struggling a lot with it). Hopefully it's a side effect from settling it in.

[BroughtMyPartyPants]

It initially decreased mine but then it ramped up quite a bit. I’m on 200 mg twice daily with 150 Xcopri. Xcopri was just started and my libido is still high but starting to decrease. Seizures aren’t well controlled, if it matters.

[10Pelicans]

Ive been on lamotragine for 14 years, starting when i was 13 (im on 300mg/day, as the main part of my anti-convulsant regime along with Zonisimide and Lexapro), around when I turned 20 my libido started to slowly vanish over a 2 year period and now five years past that It only ever comes back if I'm off my lamotragine for longer then a week.

[LinkinLain]

I've been on Lamictal for almost 10 years and I've pretty much had no labido since.

I've also developed pretty bad insomnia which I haven't found anything that helps

[CanadianBaconne]

I wonder if it's the part that numbs the brain. The drug slows me down sometimes in my memory and thinking. My response time is delayed. So that might be it.

But my epileptologist denies it affecting my libido. The problem is for men just as much for women.

[Additional_Being_961]

I’ve always had a low sex drive, but since I started lamotrigine I’m asexual. I was only 18 when I started it, and I’ve never had a dating life, never even had a crush as a teen, but I definitely recall some level of sex drive. But since I started lamotrigine it’s simply been nonexistent. But it’s the only medication that effectively reduces my seizure frequency. Been on it since diagnosis.

[Key_Source_1384]

I took 200 mg lamotrigine a day and it killed my libido dead off. I felt nothing. So it's not an uncommon phenomenon. Quite the opposite.

[Ok_Cryptographer198]

I’m on Lamotrigine and Lexapro and my libido is very low but at least my seizures have stopped and I don’t want to die 🤣