AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question My psychiatrist just diagnose me with Bipolar! He want to put me on Lamictal I heard serious blood disorder can happen from it affecting bone marrow and lymphocyte! My question is can you developpe Leukemia with Lamictal side effect like Leucopenia and anemia, all the symptome are so similare to leukemia...it is possible that Lamictal lead to leukemia?
Thanks!
Answer Dear Jack
The main danger (but rare)from Lamictal is a life-threatening skin rash but if the drug is slowly increased to the required dose according to a well established regime this is not a problem. Occasionally Lamictal can cause a drop in white blood cells (this is not leukaemia but leucopenia - a very different condition)which is not life threatening and is reversible upon cessation of the drug.
Overall Lamictal, used as properly and as prescribed is a very safe drug with minimal adverse effects.
