My difficult child just started taking Lamictal to help with a possible mood disorder. Those of you who've had kids on it: how long until you noticed its effects, good or bad?
Lamictal generally takes 3 to 4 weeks to see any effect and at a dose higher than the starting dose (source: The Bipolar Child). However, some have reported feeling the antidepressant effect take effect at 25 mg.
He's only had two doses of 25mg each so far. I know when I took Zoloft, it took a few weeks for it to really work (although I felt better as soon as I'd called my doctor, never mind getting the prescription filled!).
My difficult child started at 25mg (3 yrs ago, age 9) and is now at 150mg a day. It took about 2 weeks to see her mood stabilize some, but about 6 or so for full effect to be seen. No side effects and she no longer cycles several times a day. It is a seizure medication that is used to stabilize mood swings.
Im on it and have been since 2003 I think. If I can remember correctly it took me about 2 weeks...until I got a bit up there on the starter pack...for me to feel anything and then it really kicked in when I was on full dose.