Lamotrigine, or Lamictal, is a drug prescribed to treat bipolar disorder. Some patients with bipolar disorder take supplements, such as fish oil, in addition to their regular medications. Fish oil might help relieve the symptoms of bipolar disorder. As of 2011, no evidence suggests fish oil interacts with Lamictal. However, you should consult your physician before you begin taking fish oil or any other supplement for your bipolar disorder.
Function
Lamictal acts to calm abnormal electrical activity in the patient's brain, according to PubMed Health. Lamictal might decrease the severity of the symptoms or extend the periods between manic or depressive periods. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil might reduce the electrical activity in the brain in a manner similar to the bipolar medication lithium, according to a 1999 study by Dr. Andrew Stoll. As a result, some patients with bipolar disorder take fish oil as well as Lamictal.
Interactions
Lamictal and lithium decrease electrical activity in a similar manner, and because of this, taking them at the same time might cause a drug interaction. However, no scientific evidence suggests that fish oil or any other supplement, such as flaxseed oil, that contains omega-3 fatty acids interacts with Lamictal. Marya Hornbacher, author of "Madness: A Bipolar Life," says she takes both Lamictal and a fish oil supplement at the same time, which provides anecdotal evidence that taking them both at once is safe. However, consult your physician before you begin taking fish oil or any other supplement with Lamictal.
Other Supplements for Bipolar Disorder
Fish oil is just one supplement that might ease your symptoms of bipolar disorder. Taking a vitamin B complex supplement might help build nerve cells, according to Candida Fink and Joe Kraynak, authors of "Bipolar Disorder for Dummies." In addition, magnesium and zinc supplements might help sufferers with mood swings, according to Fink and Kraynak. Avoid taking supplements, such as St. John's wort, which are used to treat unipolar depression because these might cause mania in the bipolar patient, according to Julie Fast and John Preston, authors of Take Charge of Your Bipolar Disorder."
When to Consult Physician
If you begin experiencing extreme symptoms of mania, such as extreme agitation and disordered thought, seek immediate medical attention. In addition, if you are having thoughts about suicide, seek medical assistance immediately. You might be experiencing a mood swing that is typical of bipolar disorder, or you might be experiencing an interaction with your medications or supplements. In either case, you should get medical help as soon as possible before you harm yourself or someone else.
References
- PubMed Health: Lamotrigine
- Archives of General Psychiatry: Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder
- Drugs.com: Lamictal (lamotrigine) Drug Interactions
- Madness -- A Bipolar Life: Marya Hornbacher
- Bipolar Disorder for Dummies: Candida Fink and Joe Kraynak
- Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: Julie Fast and John Preston
