Depakote Lamictal Resource

Depakote Lamictal

Popular Questions

Do you take Depakote AND Lamictal together for Bipolar Disorder? Does it work? Do you have any side effects? I've been taking Lamictal for years, but the doctor today put me on Depakote too because I'm not feeling the greatest. I heard it causes rashes. Have you tried it? Does it work okay?

sparklepup replied: "My son took that cocktail for a while but they took him off because depakote (which is actually intended for seizure sufferers) is extremely hard on ones liver. Hopefully your doc has a long term goal, b/c depekote is inappropriate for long term use. I'm no docter, but there it is."

bossclady replied: "Yes, I took them both together. I was on Depakote first, then my doctor added Lamictal for treatment of a mild deression. My face did break out, but I am not sure if it was due to the combination of meds, because I have stopped the Lamictal and the rash is still here. On the contrary, I do not recall the rash being there before I started the Lamictal. According to the leaflet that accompanied the Lamictal, "rashes are more likely to occur if you take Laimctal in combination with depakote." I don't think it's one or the other that causes the rash, it's simply a combination of both. It worked okay, I just have issues with side effects...Hope this helped!!"

Can you have a seizure from immediatly stopping your lamictal even if you also take depakote and neurotin? I take both lamictal and depakote and actually also neurotin for bipolar disorder if i were to drop the lamictal would i have a seizure or would the other 2 medicines protect me

cwa member replied: "Have you ever had a seizure? Its not fun.... Not something to mess with.... This is a question you should ask a doctor. I am taking topamax to prevent seizures but since I had one last March dmv has revoked my drivers license... which really sucks!!! So talk to your doctor. Please make smart decisions and good luck!"

Is anyone on or know about Depakote & Lamictal XR???Please Read? My 10yr.old son has epilepsy. He's on 3pills a day of Depakote (250mg each) for seizures, now he is still having problems and was rushed to ER his levels were to high(they were 114). I followed up w/Dr.only for her to tell me to keep him on 2pills of Depakote then add him on 1pill(25)mg of Lamictal till he works up to 2pills of that a day. 2pills of Depakote(500mg)&2pills of Lamictal(50) don't you think that's alot for a 68lb.boy? Is anyone out there who knows anything about or is on these 2pills? Are you having any problems taking these 2 pills together? I've looked up some info but still worried?????Any info would be nice..trying everything here...thanks

thebtpyoda replied: "i actually took them both. i had a lot of problems with side effects with medications but i was lucky to not have a lot of problems with seizures. depakote is much stronger than lamictal. there r people who def take them both. i take keppra myself now. thats really the only newer drug then depakote or lamictal for epilepsy that good right now. depakote, like i said is much stronger than lamictal, so getting rid of one pill of depakote and taking two of lamictal should lower his level. if he feels really dizzy after a week or two or feels like he is being pulled to the ground then he is on too high of a dose. plenty of people take depakote for bipolar and would take lamictal for mood disorders. so plenty of people take both. i went thru a lot of garbage with these meds so if i can help anymore just IM me on aim or yahoo messenger and my screen name is TheBTPYoda. i hope your son feels better."

Mike replied: "I was on both meds also. I was not put on the full doseage right away, Before I started full doseage of meds I was more or less eased up within a month to the full doseage so my body would grow used to the medications,it's not good to start full doseage right away. As for taking the 2 combined, each person has different side effects. One side effect to Lamictal is if you have too much in your bloodstream you will get double vision,it happened to me before and I would be adjusted to my doseage."

I am Bi-polar and on lamictal, depakote, inderol, abilify, and prilsec (for heart burn)? I am also on probation for Marijuana possession and subject to random drug tests. I was wondering if any of those medications will show up on the drug test as any "illicit substance." If so should I take a temporary detox? and which one should I take? and where can I buy it?

cutie replied: "You could just tell your probation officer that you are on these medications and they would check with your doctor and then it would be ok. Plus, if you stop taking medication cold turkey that you have been on for awhile it could really make you sick. Good luck."

Yahoo Guesser replied: "I wouldn't suggest stopping your medications for a drug screen. I also don't think that any of those would show up as an "illicit substance". However, you should make sure that your probation officer has a list of the medications you take just in case any questions arise."

Mibby replied: "You will be asked if you are taking any medications. All drugs in your system will show up but you must have a perscription for the meds and you will be ok!"

0 replied: "The metabolite for Marijuana is unique and won't show up unless one of your drugs contains the active ingredient in Marijuana, cannabinoids, and this is not a pharmaceutical ingredient in any anything you are taking. Check this site out for some interesting info. A lot will be over your head, but ya gotta get your face wet, if you want to learn to swim! Now, if you were being tested for cocaine, you would want to avoid poppy seeds in any food ingredient, as it will return positive for the metabolites produced by recreational drugs using poppy seeds from the naturally growing flower. Incidentally, it takes several weeks for your bi-polar meds to take full effect. DO NOT suddenly stop taking any of the ingredients. You need to titrate (lower over time) down from the drug serum levels in your blood and brain. Bipolarity is not a common cold. Expect to be taking these drugs for many years, or at least until the neural deficit is identified and a GENERIC remedy is available. I believe we'll see that in the next ten to twenty years. Patience my friend. At least you are still alive."

tpalmerchickenranch replied: "if you are taking those drugs from a prescription then you have a doctors verification. you shouldnt stop taking them and if you havent smoked pot then dont worry about testing dirty. save your money"

mtstalli replied: "I've been reading up on this and found some people on erowid and other sources that were on lamictal and tested positive for PCP. Given that i have never taken PCP (and that would definitely set off some alarms) do I have anything to worry about?"

What is the titration schedule of lamotragene (Lamictal) when the patient is taking 1000mg of Depakote? Just curious. Cheers!

AbeLincolnParty replied: "You can entertain your interests by reading the label information found at the website and also by reading information found at the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (now free online). Lamictal in general is a drug of last choice to add to therapy, also as a rule of thumb, the more antisiezure drug s you mix together the much higher risks of serious side effects. Lamictal has stevens johnson syndrome as a risk. I just plain do not like that molecule."

boogeywoogy replied: "Lamictal is titrated very gradually to lower the risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which is a very rare occurrence. Dosing starts at 25mg each day for the first 2 weeks, then 50mg/day for the following 2 weeks, Then up to 100mg/day for the 5th week. After that, the dose goes up 50mg/day for each ensuing week until the optimal dosage is reached."

Bipolar II: Lamotragine (Lamictal) + Depakote = SIDE EFFECTS? I had taken Depakote a few years ago for Bipolar, and it was great... Until it gradually stopped working. I was on Lamictal and Lithium for a year or two and then my doctor added Depakote. I took the first dose yesterday, 250mg. I could barely get out of bed and am half way falling asleep right now. I guess that's probably normal but what's up with this racing heartbeat??? I read on drugs.com that Depakote causes the Lamictal half-life to double in most cases and to decrease the Lamictal dose if I'm going to be on Depakote as well. My doctor never said anything.... Physically and mentally, I feel pretty weird right now.

bluejeanrein replied: "I would advise you to call your doctor. You can do research on the Internet until the end of time, but all that's going to do is make you worried about all the dangerous side effects.....the best way to handle this, in my opinion, is to speak with a professional about the side effects you are experiencing now that you added Depakote. Also, you need to speak with someone about adjusting dosage -- please don't take that upon yourself (sounds like you wouldn't, but just in case)."

How long does Lamictal/Depakote take to help with Bipolar disorder? How can I control my bipolar tendencies? I was diagnosed as being Bipolar I a month ago, which means I have mostly manic episodes. I started taking Lamictal 4 weeks ago and today was prescribed depakote to help with my sleep and my manic episodes. I'm taking 150 mg of Lamictal in the morning and 500 mg of Depakote in the evening. I'm so angry and have the most intense manic periods where I freak out and can't control anything I do. I feel like I'm having out of body experiences sometimes and after it's over I'm in awe about what's gone on. I am going through such a difficult time in my life and I have come to realize that I've been bipolar for a long time. If anyone out there has taken either of these medications I would like some insight on them. What was your experience with them (positives/negatives) and how long did they take to feel any changes. I know that medication alone will not be the magical cure to my mood swings so what habits can I acquire to help in changing and feeling better? I'm only twenty years old and I am ruining relationships with the people closest to me and I don't know what to do. My family,friends, and boyfriend are all supportive but I feel bad that this has been going on so long untreated. I have been trying to help what's going on with my mood swings but it's so hard. I don't want anyone to hate me or think I'm completely nuts. Most of all I don't want my boyfriend to break up with me because I know he can't take this much longer. I've been living with him for the past four months and I act like a complete psycho at times. If anyone can please help with their own personal experiences and their input I would appreciate it so much. (Just please don't be rude) :) Thanks

Lady Mala replied: "The rule of thumb with psych drugs, except for the benzodiozipines (xanax, klonopin) is 4 - 6 weeks. 500mg of depakote is an introduction dose, I believe when I went off it (the Vet's Admin. changes your meds constantly) i was at 1500. So don't despair. They have to start low and work up, looking for reactions or side effects. Then they'll raise your dose. Ask em what ever happened to good old Lithium? $6 a bottle, 450mg a tab, took 2 -3 a day. Cheap. Effective."

BP Support-Mod replied: "I know 500mg of Depakote is the the intro dose. It will probably be raised. Not sure how long it takes it's different depending on the drug. I was on depakote very briefly a couple of weeks ago along with Lamictal and seroquel, but the depakote made me sick. I had been on Lamictal and Seroquel though for about 4-5 months and really didn't see any improvement either way. Now in a really mean manic week from hell...I am on 600mg of Lithium, 200mg Lamictal, 50mg Topamax and 2mg Risperdal. I am married and can relate on the relationship problems. I always give my hubby and "out" as I call it. But he is super supportive and stays. I won't blame him in time if he leaves but it's the realities of this at times. Good luck with everything. If you have a myspace add me: "

Switch from Depakote to Lamictal...? I currently take Depakote for seizures. I don't have them often--maybe one every 2 years. The seizures seem to happen if I've slacked off on my medication, lack of sleep, and/or a night of heavy drinking. That being said, I think the Depakote has the seizures well under control. I recently missed my medication for about two weeks because my prescription ran out and forgot to call in and pick up the refill. Ok--laziness isn't a good excuse, please don't scold me I know it was a big risk. Going off of the medication for so long seems to have sent me into a nasty episode of depression. I've been reading a bit about Depakote and this depression seems related. I also came across some stuff about Lamictal. It seems to me that Lamictal has less serious side effects than Depakote. I'd like to talk to my doctor about switching. Anybody have any experience with this? I'm wondering if depression will be a lasting thing if I ween myself off of the Depakote and begin the Lamictal (per doctors directions of course)

Snookles replied: "Thanks =]"

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