"i am taking this medicine to treat bipolar disorder type 1 and i have never had a side effect.  i have been taking it for about 5 years in conjunction with gabapentin.  about six years ago i started having dual episodes, which were new to me as i had only experienced mania or depression.  after a few stays in the hospital and being introduced to lamictal, i have not had a dual episode, or any episode at all. lamictal has also stopped 96% of the paranoia feeling that has never gone away."