Q:  Lamictal & Retina Toxicity

my question relates to lamictal and retina toxicity.  i see someone asked you about this several years ago. i have a history of retinal detachments and have just had lamictal prescribed for me. this is go along with a reduction to 25 mg of zoloft to counter sexual side effects of zoloft. do you have any current knowledge of lamictal causing retina toxicity?

thanks
 

Dear Mr. W.

I have not heard anything further about this issue in the last several years. Searching that issue again now, I find only that same article from 2005 (Arndt). Using the "find all related articles" function on PUB MED, I find nothing more recent nor any further evidence for concern.

You can ask your psychiatrist to request information from Glaxo Smith Kline, the manufacturer, on this specific issue, and there are medical science people will send a complete packet of everything the company has that might be relevant. This tends to produce too much information, but might be warranted if you are still concerned.

Of at least equal interest to me is the notion that someone thinks lamotrigine (Lamictal) might have some benefit encountering sexual side effects of Zoloft. To my knowledge, this has not been demonstrated, but if your doctor has some references along these lines, perhaps you could get them or have her or him send them to me? (Don't anyone go to too much trouble, however). Thank you.

Dr. Phelps