AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Question I am almost 70, taking Venlafaxine 75mg 3/day & Bupropion SR 150mg twice daily. My doctor added 2 wks ago Lamictal 1/day. I there a drug interaction? Side affects? I am experiencing dizzines, extreme tiredness, and tend to be losing my balance to my left side
Answer Hi,Saxon,
Lamictal comes in 4 strengths; 25mg, 100mg, 150mg, and 200mg. You did not mention which strength you are on. I hope it is the 25mg since both venlafaxine and Lamictal can cause dizziness and ataxia (losing balance). When adding a medication such as this, the best thing to do is "start low and go slow". It may be that your doctor thought you could tolerate the dosage he has you on,but it sounds like you can't from the side-effects you are experiencing.
The best thing for you to do is call him, explain your symptoms and see if he can start you at a lower dose for a week or so,then re-evaluate your symptoms. Hope this helps, Mary
