Lamictal "lookalike"?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2004
Lamictal "lookalike"?
10
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 3:18pm
Is anyone taking a med that works as well as Lamictal? I have no problems with Lamictal other than it tastes absolutely foul! Which is making it increasingly hard to take it. This may be a silly reason to avoid a med but honestly, it is the most disgusting thing ever and my tongue, throat and stomach just shrivel and close up when it comes time to take the pills.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 3:45pm

I haven't noticed it tastes bad. Then again, I just got off prednisone for back pain and I think it killed my taste buds. Now that stuff is nasty!!! I'll have to make a point of tasting the Lamictal tonight.

Steph

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 3:51pm

I don't really give myself time to taste it. The size is what gets to me more (I take a full 200 mg pill plus half of one). I stick it in my mouth and immediately swallow it with a LOT of water. I guess I've been taking it so long that I don't even think about it now.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 8:51pm

Mine doesn't taste bad either...its large, for a pill. But, I even had to bite mine recently, and I didn't have any kind of taste, except maybe a very mild bitterness.

Maybe you should ask your pharmacist about it.

Hugs,

Keli

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 11:17pm

Well, while I admit the stuff tastes downright NASTY, my 17 yo DD takes it also and can't take it any way other than to get those "fruit by the foot" things and tear off just enough to coat the tablet. Then she can take it. So you might consider something like that and if you don't like the fruit by the foot stuff maybe you can find something else to replace it. I use coke a cola to chase mine down with and that helps to some degree.


I hope you find a way to tolerate the lamictal. It has worked wonders for me. I've been relatively stable since January. The only trouble I've had has all been situational stuff and even that is slowly getting better. So I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Hang in there! It will get better somehow someway.


Hugs,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Tue, 05-08-2007 - 11:39pm

Lamictal is new enough that there is no generic substitute, so getting the real thing down is they key.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2004
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 12:32pm
Finally! A constructive suggestion. I'll give yours and Traci's suggestions a try.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 3:15pm

I am with you on the NASTY taste of Lamictal. Scientific explanation as to why some of us can't stand it and others can chew it is some people are VERY sensitive to bitter (raises hand, I can even taste the bitter after tast of Nutra-Sweet).

ANYWAY, another suggestion as I was having increasing difficulties taking Lamictal too. I am taking the 25 mg size, but should work for the bigger ones too....I take the pill/s and curl up the tip of my tongue just a little and put the pills on the tongue just behind the curl....about a quarter to a half inch in on the tongue(all the bitter taste receptors are on the VERY back of the tongue which is where the pill lands if you just toss it in), then take a BIG swig of water and swallow and VIOLA`, no bitter taste. Takes a little practice, but I have it down now and don't get the bitter taste at all.

Good luck and the Lamictal has done wonders for me too....I got lucky, right med, FIRST TIME.

tk

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
Wed, 05-09-2007 - 9:14pm

Okay, I put mine on my tongue and just let it sit there. I never tasted a thing! I just started a week ago so I am still on the tiny 25mg. tablets. Maybe they are coated differently???

Maybe you should try taking it with something really thick like pudding so it never touches your tongue.

Steph

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2006
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 2:51am

I HATE any PILL HATE THEM that's why I stop cuz I take so many for so many things and I just want to feel pill free ..however when I do take this one ( I have had it crumble in my mouth & yes OMG nasty lol) So now I take a swig of milk tilt my head toss it in and swallow lol. Now when I get to the larger I'll just toss it in drink & swallow. I also take my meds while I eat my dinner. So that helps :)


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2004
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 11:03am
The only thing that mitigates the taste is if I tuck the pills under my tongue and then toss them to the back of my throat as quickly as possible and take a swig of something slightly acidic like natural lemonade and swallow. I still get a smidge of the nasty chalky taste but it's not as bad.