Does Lamotrigine Cause Sexual Side Effects?
Key takeaways:
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is a prescription-only medication that’s often used to treat seizures. Most of its side effects aren’t sexual in nature.
Although not common, some people taking lamotrigine experience a reduction in sexual desire. If needed, your neurologist can help you manage sexual side effects — especially if they persist.
Certain lamotrigine sexual side effects can actually be positive. Some people report experiencing a higher sex drive and better orgasm quality after starting lamotrigine. Specific effects vary slightly between men and women.
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Anti-seizure (antiepileptic) medications have several benefits. They can be used to manage health conditions such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraines, and more. So they’re essential medications for many people.
That being said, they’re not perfect; no medication is. Anti-seizure medications are notorious for having drug interactions, and they sometimes cause problematic side effects. This may include sexual side effects. The specific risks vary by medication, though, so it’s important to ask your neurologist about what to expect.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is one commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication. It’s available in various oral forms, including immediate-release (IR) tablets, extended-release (ER) tablets, and a liquid suspension. Most of the medication’s side effects are nonsexual in nature — but this isn’t always the case.
Here, we’ll highlight possible lamotrigine side effects, sexually speaking, and how to manage them.
Does lamotrigine cause sexual side effects?
Lamotrigine sometimes causes sexual side effects. This isn’t typical, though. Most mentions of sexual side effects from lamotrigine are in case reports and small studies.
Not all of these reported side effects are bad, either. Lamotrigine has been associated with both negative and positive effects on sexual health. And this is true in cases involving both men and women.
Good to know: It can be hard to know for sure if sexual dysfunction is related to lamotrigine or something else. Factors like how well your condition is managed, what other anti-seizure medications you’re taking, and even changes in your quality of life can all affect your sexual habits.
Sexual side effects of lamotrigine for men
In lamotrigine’s initial clinical studies, the medication had mixed effects on libido (sex drive). A small percentage of men reported a higher sex drive after starting lamotrigine, while others reported the opposite. Some men also experienced erectile dysfunction.
In other studies, lamotrigine was found to help improve pleasure during sex. According to some reports, men who switch to lamotrigine from another anti-seizure medication may also experience meaningful improvements in the ability to orgasm.
Sexual side effects of lamotrigine for women
Similar to men, some women experienced libido changes, either positive or negative, during lamotrigine’s initial clinical studies. Orgasm difficulties were also occasionally reported.
A small study also found that women who are new to taking lamotrigine may experience improvement in:
Sexual desire and interest
Sexual arousal
Orgasm quality
Sex frequency
Women who switch to lamotrigine from another anti-seizure medication may experience similar benefits. However, for some, this switch could lead to a less intense desire for sex.
Risks with lamotrigine (Lamictal): Read about lamotrigine’s most notable side effects, which include dizziness and blurry vision, and how to manage them.
Taking control of interactions: Learn which medications can interact with lamotrigine — and when a dosage adjustment may be necessary.
Assessing your options: Lamotrigine is just one of many anti-seizure medications that are available with a prescription. Explore other options your neurologist may recommend.
Do sexual side effects from lamotrigine go away over time?
In general, negative sexual side effects from lamotrigine aren’t thought to be permanent. They may go away over time as your body adjusts to the medication. They should also gradually go away if you stop taking the medication altogether.
However, everyone responds differently to medications — especially anti-seizure medications. So it’s hard to say for sure how these side effects could affect you long term. Your neurologist can give you a more specific answer about what to expect.
How can you manage sexual side effects from lamotrigine?
There’s a good chance that you won’t experience any sexual side effects from lamotrigine. Or you could experience beneficial or welcome changes. However, if you do experience negative sexual side effects, there are a few ways to manage them. Ask your neurologist about:
Sharing dietary and exercise tips that help enhance sexual well-being
Scheduling sex therapy or couples therapy
Taking a lower dosage of lamotrigine
Switching to a different anti-seizure medication
Avoiding dietary supplements that may be contributing to your symptoms
Trying erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil) if you’re a man
Trying libido-enhancing medications such as Addyi (flibanserin) or Vyleesi (bremelanotide) if you’re a woman
When to seek emergency care for sexual side effects
Sexual side effects don’t typically constitute an emergency. They’re inconvenient and unwanted, but they’re not dangerous in most cases. However, experiencing priapism — or an erection lasting longer than 4 hours — is one exception to this.
In one-off situations, lamotrigine has been linked to priapism. So if you experience a long-lasting erection while taking lamotrigine, it’s important to go to the nearest ER immediately. This is important to avoid long-term damage to the penis.
Is lamotrigine less likely to cause sexual side effects than other anti-seizure medications?
Yes, in general, lamotrigine is less likely to cause sexual side effects than many other anti-seizure medications. The same goes for treatments such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and pregabalin (Lyrica).
Although everyone responds differently to these treatments, some anti-seizure medications are linked to sexual side effects more frequently. This may be related to how these medications impact certain enzymes (proteins) in the liver. Top examples include:
Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Valproic acid (Depakene)
Phenobarbital
Primidone
Topiramate (Topamax)
If sexual side effects are top of mind for you, make sure to talk to your neurologist. They can help you find a treatment regimen that strikes a balance between maximizing effectiveness and minimizing side effects.
The bottom line
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is a commonly prescribed medication for seizures that may cause sexual side effects. While people experience a decline in sexual interest, others actually report an increased sex drive and improved orgasm quality. Lamptrigine’s sexual side effects differ slightly between men and women. Though, many people taking the medication don’t experience any of these effects.
It can be hard to pinpoint if sexual changes are solely due to lamotrigine or related to other factors. Epilepsy management and quality of life can also play a role, for example. Your neurologist is the best resource to help you manage sexual side effects from lamotrigine.
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References
A-S Medication Solutions. (2024). Lamotrigine - lamotrigine tablet [package insert].
Atif, M., et al. (2016). The relationship between epilepsy and sexual dysfunction: A review of the literature. SpringerPlus.
Ge, J., et al (2022). Lamotrigine induced priapism in children: Case analysis and literature review. Journal of International Medical Research.
Gil-Nagel, A., et al. (2006). Effect of lamotrigine on sexual function in patients with epilepsy. Seizure.
Montejo, A. L., et al. (2018). The impact of severe mental disorders and psychotropic medications on sexual health and its implications for clinical management. World Psychiatry.
Svalheim, S., et al. (2015). Interactions between antiepileptic drugs and hormones. Seizure.
Yang, Y., et al. (2016). Sexual dysfunction related to antiepileptic drugs in patients with epilepsy. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety.
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