Benzodiazepines belong to a group of drugs called nervous system depressants. People may take them to treat anxiety or sleeping issues. Common benzos include:
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• diazepam (Valium)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• lorazepam (Ativan)
These drugs are habit-forming and can easily result in physical dependence and misuse. This dependence may lead to a difficult withdrawal if the person chooses to stop taking the drugs.
Benzodiazepines are often misused in conjunction with other drugs, including other benzodiazepines, alcohol, cannabis, some stimulants, and opioids. In fact, in 2020, 16% of overdose deaths involving opioids also involved benzodiazepines.
What is benzo withdrawal?
Benzodiazepine, or benzo, withdrawal happens when a person suddenly stops taking benzodiazepine drugs, which doctors do not recommend. The withdrawal symptoms, which vary in severity, typically begin within 24 hours and may last from a few days to a few months.
Withdrawal symptoms may vary from person to person, although there are some common symptoms.
People looking to get off benzos should do so under the guidance of a healthcare professional, who may recommend coping strategies and other tools to make the withdrawal process more comfortable.
There is no definitive guide to the symptoms, timeline, or severity of benzo withdrawal. Each individual may experience withdrawal differently, depending on factors such as:
• duration of taking benzodiazepine drugs
• dosage
• misuse of prescription
• using the drug without a prescription
• having an underlying mental health condition
• taking other drugs at the same time
• misusing other drugs or alcohol
There are three possible phases for benzo withdrawals, each with an estimated timeline. A person should always withdraw from benzos under the guidance of a healthcare professional. They should never quit benzos suddenly without first consulting a professional and developing a plan with them.
What is lamotrigine?
Lamotrigine is a prescription drug. It comes in four forms to be taken by mouth (orally): immediate-release oral tablets, extended-release oral tablets, chewable oral tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets (which can be dissolved on the tongue).
Lamotrigine is used to treat certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy. It can be used in combination with other antiseizure medications. Or it can be used alone when switching from other antiseizure medications.
Lamotrigine is also used for the long-term treatment of a mood disorder called bipolar disorder. With this condition, a person has extreme emotional highs and lows.
Lamotrigine is available as the brand-name drugs Lamictal, Lamictal XR (extended-release), Lamictal CD (chewable), and Lamictal ODT (dissolves on the tongue).
It’s also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name versions. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drugs.
Lamotrigine may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means that you may need to take it with other medications.
How it works
Lamotrigine belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
For people with epilepsy, this drug reduces the release of a substance in your brain known as glutamate. This action prevents the neurons in your brain from becoming too active. As a result, you may have fewer seizures.
For people with bipolar disorder, this drug may affect certain receptors in your brain that help control your mood. This could decrease the number of mood episodes you have.
Can I use lamotrigine for benzo withdrawal?
No, even though some preliminary data suggest that lamotrigine could be useful in opiate and cocaine dependence, the use of anticonvulsant drugs like lamotrigine for benzo withdrawal has not been approved by the FDA.
In addition, taking lamotrigine for benzo withdrawal may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of lamotrigine resulting in side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
What side effects can lamotrigine cause?
Lamotrigine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
• loss of balance or coordination
• double vision
• blurred vision
• uncontrollable movements of the eyes
• difficulty thinking or concentrating
• difficulty speaking
• headache
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• constipation
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• heartburn
• nausea
• vomiting
• dry mouth
• stomach, back, or joint pain
• missed or painful menstrual periods
• swelling, itching, or irritation of the vagina
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness
• seizures that happen more often, last longer, or are different than the seizures you had in the past
• headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, chills, confusion, muscle pain, drowsiness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, painful or bloody urination, chest pain, muscle weakness or pain, unusual bleeding or bruising, seizures, trouble walking, difficulty seeing or other vision problems
• sore throat, fever, chills, coughing, difficulty breathing, ear pain, pink eye, frequent or painful urination, or other signs of infection
• racing heartbeat, skipped or slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting
Lamotrigine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by phone (1-800-332-1088).
