From the Research
No, Lamictal (lamotrigine) is not an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). Lamictal is an anticonvulsant medication that belongs to a class of drugs called mood stabilizers. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain and is primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Unlike SSRIs, which increase serotonin levels in the brain by blocking its reabsorption, Lamictal's mechanism of action involves blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels and inhibiting the release of excitatory amino acids like glutamate. This fundamental difference in how these medications work explains why Lamictal is prescribed for different conditions than SSRIs. SSRIs such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro) are typically used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, while Lamictal is more commonly prescribed for seizure disorders and mood stabilization in bipolar disorder 1.
The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2021, supports the use of lamotrigine as a maintenance therapy for patients with bipolar I disorder, significantly delaying time to intervention for any mood episode 1. This study highlights the efficacy of lamotrigine in preventing depressive relapse in euthymic patients, which is a key aspect of its mechanism of action.
Key points to consider:
- Lamictal is not an SSRI, but rather a mood stabilizer with a unique mechanism of action
- Lamictal is primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, whereas SSRIs are used to treat depression and anxiety disorders
- The most recent and highest quality study supports the use of lamotrigine as a maintenance therapy for patients with bipolar I disorder 1
- Lamictal's mechanism of action involves blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels and inhibiting the release of excitatory amino acids like glutamate, which is distinct from the mechanism of action of SSRIs.