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Compare Lamictal vs. Desipramine

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and desipramine (Norpramin) are both prescription medications, but they are used for different conditions and belong to different drug classes. Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic medication used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, while desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used to treat depression. Lamotrigine is available in various forms, including chewable tablets and extended-release tablets, whereas desipramine is typically taken once a day in tablet form. Lamotrigine can cause serious skin reactions and requires a slow dose increase to minimize this risk, while desipramine can cause side effects like sleepiness, confusion, and weight gain. Additionally, desipramine is not a first-choice treatment for depression due to its side effects, whereas lamotrigine is commonly used for its approved conditions. Both medications can interact with other drugs and have specific warnings, such as the risk of suicidal thoughts with lamotrigine and the risk of heart problems with desipramine.

  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
    Desipramine (Norpramin)
  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
    Desipramine (Norpramin)

  • Summary of Lamictal vs. Desipramine

    Summary for Antiepileptic
    Prescription only

    Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can be used alone or together with other medications to treat seizures. It's available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. The immediate-release formulation can also be used for bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can cause serious skin reactions like rash.

    Summary for Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
    Prescription only

    Desipramine (Norpramin) is an tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It's FDA-approved to treat depression in adults, but it's not a first-choice medication for this condition. Desipramine (Norpramin) is taken by mouth, typically once per day. Side effects of this medication include sleepiness, confusion, and weight gain. It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking desipramine (Norpramin) because doing so can worsen side effects.

  • Indications of Lamictal vs. Desipramine

    Indications for
    •Seizures (partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures)
    •Seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only
    •Bipolar disorder - immediate-release only
    Indications for
    •Depression

  • Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Desipramine

    Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
    Pros
    •Starter kits are available to help with dosing when you first start the medication.
    •Dose can be adjusted based on your response
    •Available in various forms: chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Can cause dizziness
    •Dose has to be slowly raised due to risk of serious rash
    •Interacts with many medications such as birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)
    •Unknown if safe or works well in children under 2 years old (immediate release) or children under 13 years old (extended release)
    Pros and Const for Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Comes in many different strengths, which makes dose adjustments easier
    •Can be taken just once a day
    Cons
    •Not a first-choice treatment option because of side effects
    •Can cause withdrawal symptoms, like headache and nausea, if you suddenly stop taking it
    •Can raise risk of suicidal thinking in children, teens, and young adults

  • Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Desipramine

    Common Side Effects for

    Below are common side effects reported by adults who took this medication along with other treatments. Percentages can differ depending on your condition (e.g., bipolar) and your age.

    Immediate release

    •Dizziness (38%)
    •Headache (29%)
    •Double vision (28%)
    •Loss of coordination (22%)
    •Nausea (19%)
    •Blurry vision (16%)
    •Sleepiness (14%)
    •Stuffy nose (14%)
    •Sore throat (10%)
    •Rash (10%)

    Extended release

    •Dizziness (14%)
    •Nausea (7%)
    •Vomiting (6%)
    •Tremor (6%)
    •Feeling tired (6%)
    •Double vision (5%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dry mouth
    •Blurry vision
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Constipation
    •Sleepiness
    •Dizziness
    •Confusion
    •Anxiety
    •Restlessness

  • Warnings of Lamictal vs. Desipramine

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe skin reactions and allergic reactions
    •Overactive immune system
    •Irregular heartbeat
    •Suicidal behavior and thoughts
    •Meningitis (brain inflammation)
    •Withdrawal seizures
    •Possible eye problems
    •Interaction with other medications
    Common Side Effects for
    •Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual behavior
    •Not for use alone in bipolar disorder
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Risk of heart problems, heart attack, or stroke
    •Glaucoma
    •Higher risk of falls
    •Seizures

  • Prices with our coupons for Lamictal vs. Desipramine

    Learn more about Lamotrigine
    Learn more about Desipramine

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