Depakote and lamictal co-administration?

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jxmu
June 25, 2017 - 2:53 am
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jxmu
Total Posts: 6
Joined: 06-17-2017
Hi guys! I've recently been diagnosed with bipolar II. I have rapid cycling (3 depressive episodes so far this year and it's only halfway through). My pdoc put me on valproate(the regular kind, or is it delayed release?) on 250mg, twice a day (500mg total). I went back to her yesterday after two weeks of taking valproate because my depression wasn't getting any better but I did notice improvements on my irritability.

Since she didn't want to put me on an ssri which could increase the cycling, she added lamictal 25mg as an adjunct to the valproate. She also switched me to 500mg extended release depakote.

Does anyone have any experience with depakote and lamictal combination? I read that
Lamictal has a rare side effect that could cause SJS (Stephen-Johnson syndrome: a serious condition that causes severe rashes, your skin to peel off, and blisters). But apparently, the possibility of this side effect increases when lamotrigine (lamictal) is taken alongside valproic acid (depakote).

I'm weary of taking the lamictal now even though I've heard good things about its efficacy on bipolar depression.

If anyone has taken this combination before, I'd really appreciate it if you could share even a brief summary of your overall experience. was/is it worth it?

Thank you in advance!


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jxmu
jxmu
June 25, 2017 - 2:53 am
Hi guys! I've recently been diagnosed with bipolar II. I have rapid cycling (3 depressive episodes so far this year and it's only halfway through). My pdoc put me on valproate(the regular kind, or is it delayed release?) on 250mg, twice a day (500mg total). I went back to her yesterday after two weeks of taking valproate because my depression wasn't getting any better but I did notice improvements on my irritability.

Since she didn't want to put me on an ssri which could increase the cycling, she added lamictal 25mg as an adjunct to the valproate. She also switched me to 500mg extended release depakote.

Does anyone have any experience with depakote and lamictal combination? I read that
Lamictal has a rare side effect that could cause SJS (Stephen-Johnson syndrome: a serious condition that causes severe rashes, your skin to peel off, and blisters). But apparently, the possibility of this side effect increases when lamotrigine (lamictal) is taken alongside valproic acid (depakote).

I'm weary of taking the lamictal now even though I've heard good things about its efficacy on bipolar depression.

If anyone has taken this combination before, I'd really appreciate it if you could share even a brief summary of your overall experience. was/is it worth it?

Thank you in advance!


bluedragon76
June 25, 2017 - 5:04 pm
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bluedragon76
Total Posts: 658
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This is a great question! I haven't taken lamictal with depakote, but I do take it along side neurontin and topamax, which are in the same class of drugs as depakote. When I was started on the lamictal my doc moved up slowly only 25-50mg per 2-3 weeks. There have never been any problems but doc always made sure to ask when I saw him. I now take 100 mg in the morning and 200 mg into the evening. So far no problems, if you have any concerns or problems definitely bring them up to your doc


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bluedragon76
bluedragon76
June 25, 2017 - 5:04 pm
This is a great question! I haven't taken lamictal with depakote, but I do take it along side neurontin and topamax, which are in the same class of drugs as depakote. When I was started on the lamictal my doc moved up slowly only 25-50mg per 2-3 weeks. There have never been any problems but doc always made sure to ask when I saw him. I now take 100 mg in the morning and 200 mg into the evening. So far no problems, if you have any concerns or problems definitely bring them up to your doc


jxmu
June 26, 2017 - 1:45 am
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jxmu
Total Posts: 6
Joined: 06-17-2017
Hi bluedragon76! Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I just sent my doc a message and waiting for her reply. If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been taking lamictal? And are you taking it for bipolar depression? If so, has it worked for you in terms of stabilizing your moods? thanks again!


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jxmu
jxmu
June 26, 2017 - 1:45 am
Hi bluedragon76! Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I just sent my doc a message and waiting for her reply. If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been taking lamictal? And are you taking it for bipolar depression? If so, has it worked for you in terms of stabilizing your moods? thanks again!


bluedragon76
June 26, 2017 - 12:39 pm
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bluedragon76
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Hi Jxmu!,
I do have Bipolar 1 I was diagnosed in 2010 and I have been taking Lamictal since late 2013. It has been great for me especially in combination with the other meds I take. It really helps even things out. Between this and Seroquel I am much more even. Yay!!


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bluedragon76
bluedragon76
June 26, 2017 - 12:39 pm
Hi Jxmu!,
I do have Bipolar 1 I was diagnosed in 2010 and I have been taking Lamictal since late 2013. It has been great for me especially in combination with the other meds I take. It really helps even things out. Between this and Seroquel I am much more even. Yay!!


jxmu
June 27, 2017 - 12:53 am
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jxmu
Total Posts: 6
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Thank you for sharing your experience with lamictal, bluedragon76! Much appreciated. Pdoc says the literature I presented is good but that it has its limits which is why she uses evidence-based medicine in prescribing meds combinations. I'm going to give it a shot now and see how it works for me.


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jxmu
jxmu
June 27, 2017 - 12:53 am
Thank you for sharing your experience with lamictal, bluedragon76! Much appreciated. Pdoc says the literature I presented is good but that it has its limits which is why she uses evidence-based medicine in prescribing meds combinations. I'm going to give it a shot now and see how it works for me.


bluedragon76
June 28, 2017 - 10:52 am
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bluedragon76
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Great! Honestly those side effects are rare but since it's a bad thing they like to make you aware. Which makes them honest, which is a good thing. From that standpoint it sounds like you have a good pdoc. Evidence based medicine is the way to go.

Hope you are feeling better soon


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bluedragon76
bluedragon76
June 28, 2017 - 10:52 am
Great! Honestly those side effects are rare but since it's a bad thing they like to make you aware. Which makes them honest, which is a good thing. From that standpoint it sounds like you have a good pdoc. Evidence based medicine is the way to go.

Hope you are feeling better soon


oliver
July 9, 2017 - 4:07 pm
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oliver
Total Posts: 377
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Jxmu
I was checking out rashes due to lamictal. I am feeling itchy on my upper chest. As I Google Drive. I came across two warnings to not mix Depakote with lamictal. I know it was just Internet surfing, but thought I should tell you.


keep calm and sing on angels
my grace is sufficient for you, my power shows itself through weakness...
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oliver
oliver
July 9, 2017 - 4:07 pm
Jxmu
I was checking out rashes due to lamictal. I am feeling itchy on my upper chest. As I Google Drive. I came across two warnings to not mix Depakote with lamictal. I know it was just Internet surfing, but thought I should tell you.


keep calm and sing on angels
my grace is sufficient for you, my power shows itself through weakness...
jxmu
July 9, 2017 - 6:21 pm
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jxmu
Total Posts: 6
Joined: 06-17-2017
Hi Oliver! Thanks for replying to my post. Yeah, that was actually a major concern of mine when I started the lamictal. I did a thorough search of the literature available online and depakote can increase the incidence of lamictal-induced rashes. But since depakote alone wasn't addressing my bipolar depression my pdoc added the lamictal. I'm on 25mg lamictal every other day right now along with 500mg of depakote daily. No rashes so far. I'll see once I start taking both the lamictal and depakote everyday if rashes occur. I'll likely discontinue the lamictal if that happens.

If you don't mind me asking, how much lamictal are you on right now?


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jxmu
jxmu
July 9, 2017 - 6:21 pm
Hi Oliver! Thanks for replying to my post. Yeah, that was actually a major concern of mine when I started the lamictal. I did a thorough search of the literature available online and depakote can increase the incidence of lamictal-induced rashes. But since depakote alone wasn't addressing my bipolar depression my pdoc added the lamictal. I'm on 25mg lamictal every other day right now along with 500mg of depakote daily. No rashes so far. I'll see once I start taking both the lamictal and depakote everyday if rashes occur. I'll likely discontinue the lamictal if that happens.

If you don't mind me asking, how much lamictal are you on right now?


oliver
July 12, 2017 - 2:46 pm
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oliver
Total Posts: 377
Joined: 03-07-2013
Hi again jxmu,

I am on 400 MG of lamictal. I tried lithium it didn't work for me. I tried Depakote next. A Dr. Female, took me off due to concerns for us women. Something that could happen in our anatomy. I say it this way because the accuracy of the concern I would have to research. I was okay with it. I was getting sharp pains in my stomach while on it. I have Been on ability, seroquel. Ability gave me hand tremors, itching out of my skin. And dreams I would yell at. I thought they were happening. Plus leg kicking. Lamictal made me feel like I had the flu. Seroquel made me in a high state added energy more function shot quality sleep. Surf sleeping I would call it. I ran 2 hrs. At a time up to 32 miles certain weeks. Super robot. Gained 40 pounds while doing all this. Waking up eating every carb I could get. A sugar cocaine artist. All I did was bionic. Not really funny. But I was under addiction, pretty sure. Coming off 450 MG was hellish, got off at my own pace. I am not always a perfect patient. I wanted off. I am a rapid cycler. It's not easy to master. I want to keep trying. Just stepping away from that today. It's exhausting and I am bored with its game on all the time. I cycle daily, hourly. Sux


keep calm and sing on angels
my grace is sufficient for you, my power shows itself through weakness...
Spam? Offensive?
oliver
oliver
July 12, 2017 - 2:46 pm
Hi again jxmu,

I am on 400 MG of lamictal. I tried lithium it didn't work for me. I tried Depakote next. A Dr. Female, took me off due to concerns for us women. Something that could happen in our anatomy. I say it this way because the accuracy of the concern I would have to research. I was okay with it. I was getting sharp pains in my stomach while on it. I have Been on ability, seroquel. Ability gave me hand tremors, itching out of my skin. And dreams I would yell at. I thought they were happening. Plus leg kicking. Lamictal made me feel like I had the flu. Seroquel made me in a high state added energy more function shot quality sleep. Surf sleeping I would call it. I ran 2 hrs. At a time up to 32 miles certain weeks. Super robot. Gained 40 pounds while doing all this. Waking up eating every carb I could get. A sugar cocaine artist. All I did was bionic. Not really funny. But I was under addiction, pretty sure. Coming off 450 MG was hellish, got off at my own pace. I am not always a perfect patient. I wanted off. I am a rapid cycler. It's not easy to master. I want to keep trying. Just stepping away from that today. It's exhausting and I am bored with its game on all the time. I cycle daily, hourly. Sux


keep calm and sing on angels
my grace is sufficient for you, my power shows itself through weakness...

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