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Can Depokote And Sequel Cause Liver Damage And Memory Loss?
Question: My brother has been taken depokote and sequel for the last 7 year I have not see improvement in the medication he talk a lot something he get mad I want him to stop taking the medication I read about the comment that it can cause liver damage and memory lost. I want him to take something that is safe for him I feel like he suffer by taking this med. What can I do I spoke to his doctor but she still give him the same thing
Brief Answer:
Consider reevaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query
He is on Sodium Valproate and Quetiapine since last 7 years and still there is no improvement. Sodium valproate is a mood stabiliser and over all safe drug to use. Few side effects like nausea, loss of appetite are commonly seen. Hepatic toxicity, decrease in platelets are other side effects but they are seen in few susceptible individuals only. As he is on therapy get his liver function tests and complete blood count checked every 4-8 weeks.
Quetiapine is also a mood stabiliser and antipsychotic drug. The drug is known to cause side effects like sedation, raised blood sugars, metabolic syndrome etc. It can caused altered liver function but these are also not common.
As per my opinion there is need for dose adjustments for these drugs. Optimal doses will help in improvement.
Other medicines like Aripiprazole can be considered as good option. The drug is relatively free of serious metabolic side effects. You can consult his psychiatrist for this drug. It has good efficacy but less side effects.
As he is having issues with sodium valproate other drug like Lithium can be used. Lithium is also a mood stabilizer not toxic much to liver. But some psychiatrists avoid lithium because of fear of lithium toxicity as it has narrow therapeutic window. If used properly with regular consultation of psychiatrist it is safe to use.
You can discuss with his psychiatrist for these medicines and any dose adjustments.
Thanks, hope this helps you. You can ask again if you have more doubts.
Consider reevaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query
He is on Sodium Valproate and Quetiapine since last 7 years and still there is no improvement. Sodium valproate is a mood stabiliser and over all safe drug to use. Few side effects like nausea, loss of appetite are commonly seen. Hepatic toxicity, decrease in platelets are other side effects but they are seen in few susceptible individuals only. As he is on therapy get his liver function tests and complete blood count checked every 4-8 weeks.
Quetiapine is also a mood stabiliser and antipsychotic drug. The drug is known to cause side effects like sedation, raised blood sugars, metabolic syndrome etc. It can caused altered liver function but these are also not common.
As per my opinion there is need for dose adjustments for these drugs. Optimal doses will help in improvement.
Other medicines like Aripiprazole can be considered as good option. The drug is relatively free of serious metabolic side effects. You can consult his psychiatrist for this drug. It has good efficacy but less side effects.
As he is having issues with sodium valproate other drug like Lithium can be used. Lithium is also a mood stabilizer not toxic much to liver. But some psychiatrists avoid lithium because of fear of lithium toxicity as it has narrow therapeutic window. If used properly with regular consultation of psychiatrist it is safe to use.
You can discuss with his psychiatrist for these medicines and any dose adjustments.
Thanks, hope this helps you. You can ask again if you have more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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