These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Depakote for Schizophrenia Treatment [posted 10/15/98]
Question: I am diagnosed with schizophrenia and take
trilafon and olanzapine. I also take effexor and depakote; In trying to come off the depakote I had a very bad psychological reaction. In current medical practice is it unusual for a paranoid schizophrenic to require depakote or do I possibly fall within a different diagnostic classification? In addition, I also have marked tremors of the neck, head, and hands for which I am prescribed primidone, and the primidone has an additional positive effect on my mood.
Answer: Depakote has been used in many different medical syndromes in the past couple of years based on its relatively unique activity. While it is not approved for the treatment of schizophrenia by the FDA, it has been used in treatment with mixed success.
Depakote & Herbal Pill [posted 10/13/98]
Question:Is Depakote or Wellbutrin, mao inhibitors?
I have also been taking Metabolife. (A new diet/energy natural herbal pill.)
It is mostly for energy before a work out. Is this o.k.?
Answer: Neither is an mao inhibitor. There should be no problem with metabolife.
Depakote & Marijuana [posted 10/8/98]
Question:Are you aware of any contraindications between depakote (used to treat manic depression) and the use of marijuana? Can the combination be life-threatening? Can it interfere with the action of the depakote?
Answer: Out of my league, but, I’d ask the company- Abbott 800-633-9110.
Depakote & Ephreda Use [posted 10/2/98]
Question: I am taking Depakote for migraines and wish to begin taking Starlight,International, which is a diet supplement (nautral herbal) containing ephreda. I need to know if there are any negative interactions between Depakote and ephreda. I am, otherwise, in good health. Thanks!
Answer: None that I am aware of.
Liver Problems from Depakote [posted 7/23/98]
Question: How risky to the liver is depakote? Is there a certain dosage level that causes a jump in the risk?
How much of a factor is aspirin? Does it totally need to
be stopped for depakote?
Does taking a cholesterol drug affect depakote and the liver? (one on the statins)
Answer: Depakote can cause liver toxicity in some patients for unclear reasons even if in the normal range. However, in general it is dose dependent. Aspirin does not appear to be a factor in this problem. As to the interaction between depakote and the statins, there is no clear evidence here, you’ll need to monitor liver functions a little more closely.
Depakote Side Effects [posted 7/16/98]
Question: Has there been any bad reactions to this drug? I am taking this drug for bi-polar disorder.
Answer: Depakote has been used for a while, mainly for seizures, but also for other conditions. Side
effects include headache, asthenia, decreased appetite, nausea, somnolence, body aches,
vertigo, double vision, tremor, and hair loss. It depends a lot on the drug levels of the
Depakote, but side effects are very common with this drug.
Depakote and Pregnancy [posted 7/16/98]
Question: Can you give me some information about the effects on a fetus if
depakote is taken during first 3 weeks of pregnancy?
Answer: This study has not been done and will not be for ethical reasons. Studies in bacteria and mice
haven’t shown any particular worrisome effects.
Depakote and Effexor
Question: I am a bipolar who is currently taking Effexor and
Depakote. Should I avoid prolonged exposure to sunshine and
generally hot summertime conditions? That is, more so than
a person who is not on these medications?
Answer: Depakote has been implicated in causing discoid lupus. This would involve sun sensitivity. Otherwise neither is a big risk.
Depakote
Question: What is the complete list of side effects for Depakote?
Answer: Depakote(divalproex sodium) is an anti-seizure drug which has been available about 10
years. Side effects include liver toxicity (some deaths, especially small children), low platelet
counts, nausea, sleepiness, vertigo, vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite and rash.
These are the common side effects. The others have been listed
on rare occasions.
There is a low list of minor side effects available in the Physicians Desk Reference, which is available
in any book store or library.
