End-of-dose emergent psychopathology in ambulatory patients with epilepsy on stable-dose lamotrigine monotherapy: A case series of six patients

Abstract

Objective Specific psychological withdrawal symptoms following the cessation of treatment with many drugs that affect the central nervous system, including anxiolytics and antidepressants, have been well documented. Studies have investigated withdrawal symptoms associated with some of the older antiepileptic drugs, but the potential for withdrawal symptoms associated with newer antiepileptic drugs, including lamotrigine, has not yet been investigated. Methods Using a retrospective chart review, we identified six patients with epilepsy who reported transient emergent psychological symptoms during stable, chronic lamotrigine monotherapy. Results These symptoms included anxiety, emotional lability, and irritability. In each case, the symptoms resulted in marked subjective distress and reliably occurred in the 1–2 h before the patients were due to take their next dose of medication. Conclusions Lamotrigine withdrawal symptoms exist and can occur as an end-of-dose phenomenon, even in patients on stable medication doses. End-of-dose withdrawal from lamotrigine is a clinically significant adverse effect that can hamper successful treatment with this medication.