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Depakote--How long does it take?

Fri, 07/29/2005 - 23:37

I will be starting my 8-year-old daughter on Depakote tomorrow (she was diagnosed with absence ep. Wednesday).  I was just wondering if anyone can tell me about how many days it takes for this drug to get into your system.  Her ped. neur. said "a few days," but I was hoping for a few specifics (2 days? 4? 10?...) 

Thanks so much!

Comments

RE: Depakote--How long does it take?

Submitted by cmscribbles on Fri, 2005-07-29 - 23:37

The doctor probably wasn't real specific because Depakote is non-linear...so you can't really give an exact number of days to reach steady state.  Good luck.  I hope it works with zero to minor side effects!  Sometimes it helps to give the Depakote with food if there are gastrointestinal side effects. 

 

The doctor probably wasn't real specific because Depakote is non-linear...so you can't really give an exact number of days to reach steady state.  Good luck.  I hope it works with zero to minor side effects!  Sometimes it helps to give the Depakote with food if there are gastrointestinal side effects. 

 

RE: Depakote--How long does it take?

Submitted by x0adamo0x on Sat, 2005-07-30 - 11:08
I'm 14 years old and i was diagnosed with tonic clonic (grand mals), absence and myoclonic seizures in late april. i had my first grand mal on april 5th. i was diagnosed with epilepsy a few weeks after that and put on depakote. my neurologist told me that there could be a chance that i would have another grand mal because i was started on a low dosage. and i did have another grand mal in the beginning of that week i was put of depakote. then my dosage was increased and i was fine. ive been on depakote for about 3 months now and it is working good but i have to watch what i eat now because i gained some weight but luckily ive been losing it. just be careful in the beginning if they are starting you on a low dose and building you up. i had to miss my honor society trip that i waited for all year because i had it the morning of the trip. my first seizure i was running late for school and i had my first grand mal. i would have had it in a classroom with a hard floor. i have been lucky both times that i have been home. good luck with your daughter and tell her not to worry she might outgrow it =)

RE: RE: Depakote--How long does it take?

Submitted by mlisa73 on Sat, 2005-07-30 - 16:17

Adam,

Do you remember about how long it took the Depakote to start working for you?  My daughter takes (generic) Ritalin (she was diagnosed 2 years ago with Adhd, but I'm kinda hoping her behavior is due to absence and I can eventually take her completely off the Ritalin).  I was just wondering, because I'm really eager to see how she'll react and if we can take her off her Ritalin (and the clonidine she takes at night to help her sleep).  Also, does the Depakote help you to sleep? 

Adam,

Do you remember about how long it took the Depakote to start working for you?  My daughter takes (generic) Ritalin (she was diagnosed 2 years ago with Adhd, but I'm kinda hoping her behavior is due to absence and I can eventually take her completely off the Ritalin).  I was just wondering, because I'm really eager to see how she'll react and if we can take her off her Ritalin (and the clonidine she takes at night to help her sleep).  Also, does the Depakote help you to sleep? 

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