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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on July 25, 2007, at 13:22:14
Hey. Am taking a lowish dose of lamotrigine. My doctor has taken off for a year and left me with refills.
I feel a bit lost as it is not working very well.
Trying to compare lamotrigine with lower dose of depakote.
I personally thought depakote was better for agitation etc.
Can anyone compare these two ?
Seems I can't make it too long on nothing.
Lamotrigine does something but still feeling pretty crappy.
Linkadge
Posted by med_empowered on July 25, 2007, at 15:45:49
In reply to lamotrigine vs. depakote, posted by linkadge on July 25, 2007, at 13:22:14
supposedly lamictal is more of AD anticonvulsant, and depakote is more of an anti-manic with some (mind-numbing) anxioltyic and antidepressant properties, probably secondary to its GABAergic actions.
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 16:35:56
In reply to Re: lamotrigine vs. depakote, posted by med_empowered on July 25, 2007, at 15:45:49
Thought lamictal was an add on for an antidressant at low doses and antimanic at high doses as last summer took low dose and it didn't reve me up all all. Didn't notice a think except excess saliva so stopped it but it seemed like a good med to me. I had the starter pack. Love Phillipa
Posted by dewdropinn on July 27, 2007, at 8:39:55
In reply to lamotrigine vs. depakote, posted by linkadge on July 25, 2007, at 13:22:14
If I were given the choice between Depakote and anything else, I would opt for Tegretol in one of the time release formulations -- the potentially fatal blood issues are totally overblown -- in fact many old school neurologist and psychiatrist don't even bother with blood tests unless patients experience flu-like symptoms. Not to long ago, I met the very old school researcher who initiated the NIMH tegretol studies back in the 70's -- he's prescribed the drug to hundreds, if not thousands of patient, and never had a single potentially dangerous blood reaction. I mention this only because, the moment you mention Tegretol, your doctor will mention aplastic anemia. In my experience, tegretol is superior to trileptal for mood issues -- it has a touch of antidepressant action along with the mood stabilization/anti-anxiety properties. For me, Tegretol was superior to depakote in every way. Lamictal is my personal favorite -- but if lamictal ever lets me down, I'll reach for my bottle of Carbatrol without hestitation.
Depakote was, in my experience, one of the most physically brutal drugs I've ever taken -- like a kick in the gut from the word go. Doctors prescribe the drug because it is the most effective drug around for the treatment of full-blown mania -- they administer it via IV in mental institutions.
All cautions notwithstanding, If you decide to go the depakote route, I would ask for the 125mg "sprinkles" -- you can pour out a tiny amount from the capsule to gauge your reaction, and you may find that a very little goes a long way as far as mood control goes.
Your doctor will probably want to go with depakote -- the liability issues associated with the rare-as-a-unicorn, easily monitored and avoided potentially fatal side effect of Tegretol make some doctors nervous so they opt for the effective drug that has lots of non-potentially-fatal side effects. The sprinkles may be your ticket -- the lower your dose the less severe the side effects -- I got a response from a half-capsule, so you may have similar luck. And if depakote fails you, you may have a better than plan A, plan B waiting in the wings.
Drew
> Hey. Am taking a lowish dose of lamotrigine. My doctor has taken off for a year and left me with refills.
>
> I feel a bit lost as it is not working very well.
>
> Trying to compare lamotrigine with lower dose of depakote.
>
> I personally thought depakote was better for agitation etc.
>
> Can anyone compare these two ?
>
> Seems I can't make it too long on nothing.
>
> Lamotrigine does something but still feeling pretty crappy.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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