Does nausea from Lamictal go away?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does nausea from Lamictal go away?
Yes, Lamictal-induced nausea goes away within a few days as your treatment continues. Nausea is one of the most commonly reported side effects of this medication, especially in people who are new to Lamictal.
Your body can take some time to adjust to medications that can affect your brain. Once your body is adjusted, these early side effects begin to fade away. Some people take longer to recover, but most take a week or two to get rid of them.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel severely nauseous and throw up frequently. Lamictal may not suit every individual. If Lamictal is not the right choice of medication for you, your doctor will most likely switch you to another one.
Make sure you don’t stop using Lamictal without your doctor’s approval. This medicine has mood-stabilizing properties and stopping it abruptly can cause withdrawal side effects.
The incidence of Lamictal-induced nausea
The incidence of Lamictal-induced nausea can vary among individuals. Research suggests that nausea is a relatively common side effect of Lamictal, affecting a significant number of people who take the medication.
The exact mechanism behind this side effect is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the influence of Lamictal on certain brain chemicals, including serotonin and glutamate. (1,2)
These chemical changes may affect the functioning of the digestive system, leading to nausea. It’s important to discuss any persistent or severe nausea with your healthcare provider.
What to do if Lamictal causes nausea?
Give your body some time to adjust if you’re new to Lamictal and it makes you nauseous. Your doctor may recommend medications such as antiemetics, which are specifically designed to alleviate nausea.
These medications work by targeting the receptors in the brain and gastrointestinal tract that are involved in the sensation of nausea and vomiting.
Examples of commonly prescribed antiemetics include Ondansetron, Metoclopramide, and Promethazine. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate medication for your specific situation.
Non-pharmacological ways to manage nausea
Nausea can be managed with some non-pharmacological home remedies. These include:
- Ginger: Ginger has been used for centuries to alleviate nausea. You can try consuming ginger in various forms, such as ginger tea, ginger candies, or ginger capsules (3).
- Relaxation techniques: Stress and anxiety can exacerbate feelings of nausea. Practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga may help reduce nausea symptoms.
- Acupressure: Applying pressure to specific points on the body, such as the wrist (known as P6 or Nei Guan point), can help relieve nausea. Acupressure bands that stimulate this point are available over the counter. (4)
- Hydration: Staying hydrated is essential in managing nausea. Sip on clear fluids like water, herbal teas, or electrolyte drinks to prevent dehydration.
- Eating small, frequent meals: Consuming small, light meals throughout the day can be easier on your stomach and help prevent nausea. Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavy foods that may trigger or worsen nausea.
- Fresh air: Being in a well-ventilated area or stepping outside for fresh air can sometimes alleviate nausea symptoms.
Remember, everyone’s experience with nausea is different, so it’s important to find the approach or combination of approaches that works best for you. If your nausea persists or becomes severe, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
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References
1.-
Betchel NT, Fariba KA, Saadabadi A. Lamotrigine. 2023 Feb 13. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29262021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470442
2.-
Fitton A, Goa KL. Lamotrigine. An update of its pharmacology and therapeutic use in epilepsy. Drugs. 1995 Oct;50(4):691-713. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199550040-00008. PMID: 8536554. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8536554/
3.-
Ernst E, Pittler MH. Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Br J Anaesth. 2000 Mar;84(3):367-71. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bja.a013442. PMID: 10793599. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10793599/v
4.-
Avc HS, Ovayolu N, Ovayolu Ö. Effect of Acupressure on Nausea-Vomiting in Patients With Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia. Holist Nurs Pract. 2016 Sep-Oct;30(5):257-62. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000161. PMID: 27501207. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27501207/
