Lamictal vs. Lidocaine for Bipolar Disorder and Pain: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Lamotrigine

(Lamictal)

lidocaine viscous 2%

Summary for Lamictal

Prescription only

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an antiepileptic medication. The immediate-release version can treat different types of seizures as well as bipolar 1 disorder. But the extended-release version is only for seizures. Your dose depends on your age, the other medications you take, and what problem you're treating. Side effects can include dizziness, headache, and serious skin reactions. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures if you stop taking it suddenly.

Indications for Lamictal

Partial-onset seizures
Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Seizures from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only
Bipolar 1 disorder - immediate-release only

Pros and Cons for Lamictal

Pros

Available in different formulations (regular immediate-release tablets, chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets)
Can use a starter kit to help with dosing when you first start the medication
Approved for children of certain ages with seizures (age depends on formulation)

Cons

Can cause dizziness and headaches
Must start at a low dose and have the dose slowly raised to lower the risk of serious rash
Interacts with many medications, like birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)

Common Side Effects for Lamictal

Immediate release:

Dizziness (38%)
Headache (29%)
Double vision (28%)
Problems with coordination (22%)
Nausea (19%)
Blurry vision (16%)
Sleepiness (14%)
Runny or 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%)

Warnings for Lamictal

Serious skin rashes
Serious allergic reaction
Overactive immune response to the medication
Irregular heartbeat
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
Meningitis (inflammation in the brain)
Withdrawal seizures
Possible eye problems
Interactions with other medications

Summary for Lidocaine

Prescription only

Lidocaine viscous 2% (also known as viscous lidocaine) is commonly used to numb red, swollen, and painful sores in the mouth and throat. It's available by prescription only. The typical dose for adults is to swish and spit (or swallow) 15 mL of lidocaine viscous 2% every 3 hours, as needed. While lidocaine viscous 2% works well, using this medication more often or at higher doses than recommended can cause serious side effects, such as heart rhythm problems, trouble breathing, and coma.

Indications for Lidocaine

Numb the red, swollen, and irritated areas in the mouth and throat
Prevention of gagging during dental procedures

Pros and Cons for Lidocaine

Pros

Can be used as needed
Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

Not recommended for teething pain in young children
Need to wait 1 hour after rinsing or gargling with the medication before you eat
Need a measuring spoon, medicine cup, or oral syringe to measure out exact dose, so might be inconvenient to use

Common Side Effects for Lidocaine

Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Feeling sleepy and tired
Ringing in the ears
Blurry or double vision
Vomiting
Feeling hot, cold, or numb
Twitching, shaking
Seizures
Coma
Trouble breathing
Slow heart rate
Low blood pressure

Warnings for Lidocaine

Seizures, heart and lungs problems, and death in babies and young children
Using too much medication
Blood problem (methemoglobinemia)

Prices with our coupons for Lamictal vs. Lidocaine

Lamotrigine30 tablets / 100mg

$9.00$9.00

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Lidocaine30 patches / 5%

$59.10$288.85

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Lamictal vs. Lidocaine

Lamotrigine

lidocaine viscous 2%

Summary for Lamictal

Indications for Lamictal

Pros and Cons for Lamictal

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lamictal

Warnings for Lamictal

Summary for Lidocaine

Indications for Lidocaine

Pros and Cons for Lidocaine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lidocaine

Warnings for Lidocaine

Prices with our coupons for Lamictal vs. Lidocaine

Compare other Bipolar Disorder and Pain drugs

Browse medications by letter

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Lamotrigine

lidocaine viscous 2%

Summary for Lamictal

Indications for Lamictal

Pros and Cons for Lamictal

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lamictal

Warnings for Lamictal

Summary for Lidocaine

Indications for Lidocaine

Pros and Cons for Lidocaine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Lidocaine

Warnings for Lidocaine