Posted by Cam W. on June 22, 2001, at 11:47:56
In reply to Tegretol/depakote start-up issues??? Feel strange, posted by katrina on June 18, 2001, at 16:43:47
Katrina - What you are experiencing sounds a lot like antimuscarinic side effects (dizziness, dry mouth), probably from the Tegretol. Also, Tegretol can cause agitation and restlessness, especially when first starting it. They titrate the dose slowly, to try to avoid some of these side effects. Then doses are adjusted according to blood levels. Your body does adjust to the Tegretol (and the Depakote) over time and these side effects will fade.
The Depakote's GI irritation and dizziness can add to these problems.
Tegretol does have antidepressant activity, but lately, research says that the antidepressant activity is not that strong. Tegretol™ (carbamezepine) is a tricyclic molecule (like Elavil) and does have strong antimuscarinic activity, like the TCAs. I do believe that Tegretol does stabilizes one's mood, so that the lows are not so low, and the highs not so high.
Hope that this is of some help. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:66992
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67477.html