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Depakote or Lactamil???
Fri, 05/19/2006 - 10:14Topic: Medication Issues
We've finally been able to get semi control after trying three meds for my 2 year old. We saw the pediatric neuro yesterday for the first time and he was content with leaving him on the Depakote for now, as we haven't had any seizures in three weeks or so. He mentioned Lactamil (or somthing like that) and said that it too covered a wide spectrum of seizures with no need for lab testing and no side effects affecting the organs, as Depakote we have to test liver function (especially due to age) and blood count. It sounded like I should switch him, and the neuro said we could, but that it would be complicated considering he's already on Depakote and it affects the way the other drug is metabolized. But he did encourage me to research more about it and that he would be happy to help us switch if that was what I wanted to do. Now I realize that the chances of side effects from the Depakote are slim, but doesn't it make sense to do the safer of the drugs? I am wondering if it would be worth the mess of trying to switch him or if I just stick with the Depakote. I feel that if I know the other one is safer, why would I not switch him?
Comments
Re: Depakote or Lactamil???
Submitted by ScottKellie on Mon, 2006-05-22 - 07:57
our daughter takes lamictal 800 mgs a day (400 in the am and 400 in the pm) she has been on it for almost a year now. she hasnt had any side effects from it AT ALL. but over easter weekend she had 3 seizers on sunday and then 2 more on sunday 2 wks back. so were going to see a ep. splist. on may 30th. we may end up switching her to depakote. we opt out of putting here on that 2 yrs ago because of the side effects. but it may come down to it. over all lamictal is very good as long as its working the way it should. as before just recently her eposoides have gotten worse so thats why were thinking of switching. if it wasnt for that we wouldnt be. just my .02 worth. help it helps. if you have any questions or concerns feel free to email me.
Thanks,
Scott & Kellie M
Re: Depakote or Lactamil???
Submitted by scorpio on Sat, 2006-05-20 - 04:15
I would be inclined to switch over to Lamictal/Lamotrigine since it is not an enzyme-inhibiting drug like Depakote (a valproate), with one important qualification. Depakote raises the serum level of any other drug taken with it and this has implications as to the second drug's side-effects (accentuated). In the case of Lamictal this is particularly important since Lamictal needs to be introduced more slowly than most other AEDs, otherwise its own side-effects - rashes in particular - are more likely to manifest themselves. The section on medicines on the main Epilepsy.com website has an excellent description of the various AEDs available, including Depakote. In the latter's case, it mentions that ''Moderate or rapid introduction of Lamictal in a patient taking Depakote, especially a child, can significantly increase the chances of a potentially life-threatening rash (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).'' Lamictal has been without doubt the best AED that I have taken in a lifetime of epi: 200 mg/d of it controls it 100% and the side-effects are tolerable so I would recommend it to anyone. However it is not suitable for all types of epi and some people react badly to it. There is a certain amount of trial and error involved in finding the right AED for anyone with epi so I hope it is not too long before you find one. Chris