Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Anyone on Lamictal and Depakote?

Fri, 12/17/2010 - 18:14
Topic: Medication Issues
Anyone on both these medications? I know there's a major interaction between the 2 as depakote increases the amount of Lamictal in the blood. I was on 200mg 2x a day of lamictal for my seizures. That wasn't working. In fact I think it was increasing my seizures. It made me paranoid, terrible insomnia, anxiety and mood issues. My Dr. recently told me to cut my lamictal in half. 200mg in the morning and then add depakote in the evening. I'm starting out 500mg for the first week and then up to 1500mg after 3. So far after a few days on 500mg depakote it makes me feel a little relaxed and slightly drowsy afterwards. It definetly helps me sleep better in combination with trazodone. I tried to sleep without the trazodone but I still can't do that. I'm hoping as time goes on I can. My Dr. told me he is hoping the lamictal will keep me energized during the day and the depakote will keep me drowsy when I need to be. I sure hope it work. 3rd medication in a year. Never been on 2 at once though.

Comments

Re: Anyone on Lamictal and Depakote?

Submitted by marry on Sat, 2010-12-18 - 12:52
i have been on depakene which is as same as depakote the active ingredients is valproic acid i was on 1000mg aday then my dr minimised the dosage into 500mg aday then i started to feel the seizures coming again so he put me on lamictal 200mg along with depakene 500 ,but during this time i was a wreck i couldnt stand lamictal i used to wake up early feeling soooo dizzy that i cant turn my head i feel drawsy and at night i cant get any sleep i would see my seizures coming and ifeel my whole body itching so badly, so i told my doctor who stoped lamictal and kept me on depakene 500mg, so ithink that depakene is much better for me even if im not 100% ok but my seizures are well controlled and its good enough for me  that i wont have to feel the side effects of lamictal  .good luck

Re: Anyone on Lamictal and Depakote?

Submitted by emanuel80 on Sat, 2010-12-18 - 13:29
I take both just started about a year ago.  It help its the best stuff I have been on, I have been on triliptal, whth lamictal, keppra w lamicatal, and on doen the line, lamictal is the best thing out there.  But for every person there there is a defferent ways of handling it.  People act different on need that may work for u but not me in the in man it  alll about the person!  Hope i helped u,  I still have seize in a monthe at list 8-10 but i dont know anymore but that has been the best way for me, do not use dilantain that stuff id bad news too.

Re: Anyone on Lamictal and Depakote?

Submitted by Revelation 21.4 on Sat, 2010-12-18 - 14:44

Thankyou for the replies! I really wish to be off lamictal if I can be but I can't really say how it will work for me till I get the depakote up to 1500mg. Yesterday I had bad anxiety for no reason. The depakote wasn't able to counteract the lamictals effect. I'm just hoping that the depakote doesn't increase the side effects of lamictal.  I will be getting blood work in january to see where the lamictal levels are at.

 

 

 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" - Rev 21:4

Thankyou for the replies! I really wish to be off lamictal if I can be but I can't really say how it will work for me till I get the depakote up to 1500mg. Yesterday I had bad anxiety for no reason. The depakote wasn't able to counteract the lamictals effect. I'm just hoping that the depakote doesn't increase the side effects of lamictal.  I will be getting blood work in january to see where the lamictal levels are at.

 

 

 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" - Rev 21:4

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.

Subscribe