Posted by Ritch on July 28, 2002, at 11:01:45
In reply to Epilim Chrono???, posted by colin wallace on July 26, 2002, at 11:35:39
> I have here near my keyboard ,an innocuous looking pack of epilim chrono.
> I am told that it is 'the same thing' as Depakote.I checked on the Depakote brand website, and they state that these two products are not to be confused, ie. epilim is for epilepsy only.
> I am highly dubious about popping one of these babies, even more so than before.
> Valproate monotherapy for depressive mood crashes? My instinct tells me to throw them away and order some lamictal or else maybe use them at the lowest dose (200mg) for a couple of weeks, till it arrives, and then ditch it.
> My psych. deems me fit not to be seen for another 6 months- two days ago, I was so angrily depressed (following zoloft discontinuation) I was maniacally driving at 90mph and playing traffic 'chicken', seriously considering a head-on crash.I think my psych. actually disbelieved me, or was disinterested.
> As all the meds have left my system, that memory appalls me, and I feel stable, and quite normal.
> My 'mania' is purely antidepressant induced, and was hitherto unknown.I now have to try to stave off the depression that will invariably occur.
> But epilim monotherapy??Hmmmmmmm.
> Any thoughts most welcome.
>
> Col,Colin,
Epilim and Depakote are different preparations of valproic acid (VPA). Once the meds get into your bloodstream they are essentially the same. Epilim is sodium valproate, Depakote is divalproex sodium-which is a combination of sodium valproate and valproic acid. So, you would be taking essentially the same thing. I don't know why Abbott says that Epilim is for epilepsy only?? I checked an Australian website about Epilim and it is considered an "anticonvulsant/antipsychotic". Perhaps it is just CYA for Abbott to mention that, or maybe they don't want their "competition" to get any more sales for bipolar disorder than necessary :) Actually valproic acid (VPA) is off patent protection-it has been around since 1974 I think. Several people manufacture different preparations of VPA. Depakote is just a patented *formulation* of VPA with an enteric coating.
OH, about the lamotrigine thing. I wouldn't tinker around with *that* one on your own. Some pdocs here that prescribe it are very familiar with the signs and symptoms of SJS (the life-threatening rash stuff), and often have a dermatologist to refer their patients to (often to determine whether it is LTG related or not-esp. if their patients are doing well on it and they want to continue the drug).
You could try the Epilim on its own for awhile and see how it goes. I can't take VPA on its own. I take AD's, but at very *tiny* doses to keep my head above water, otherwise I will get hypomanic, rages, bad stuff.. I remember when I started Prozac the first time back in 1992. I started right off with a 20mg capsule---had a little nausea, etc., but after about 7 or 8 days on it I was sleeping about 2 hrs a night (and hallucinating) and my pupils were dilated! UGGH. I kept pushing the dose down, down, down, to about 2.5mg a day, and I stayed on that for several years with little problems (with lithium). If the Epilim winds up making your mood too flat, you could try a tiny dose of an AD that has worked for you before, or you could ask for lithium instead of or in addition to the VPA. I just wouldn't want to do the lamotrigine thing by myself..
hope this helps,
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:113811
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020725/msgs/114014.html