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Can I Take Low Doses Of Depakote For Anxiety Inspite Of Its Side Effects?
Question: I am 40 years.i am taking depakote 1000 mg,paliris 3 mg and buspin 10 mg at night.i have been taking this for quiet sometime and now recently consulted a psychiatrist.ia had told him that I feel dull and lethargic so he asked to discontinue paliris and take additional depakote 250 mg in morning as we'll.I don't feel lethargic that was only temporary.even before discontinuing paliris I felt fine.but I have discontinues it now but don't want to take additional doze of depakote 250 in morning.i have read abt it's side affects affecting liver and all and I feel comfortable with taking only deepakote 1000 mg and buspin 10 mg.i feel quiet normal.i use to get anxiety before so was taking all this. Kindly provide a detailed reply.
Brief Answer:
It can be continued
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Depakote at 1000mg per day is mostly sufficient as it is given in the dose of 15-20mg/kg. Moreover at present you dont have any depressive symptoms and that suggests that your depakote 1000mg is doing good and you dont need any additional dosage of depakote. Paliris can be discontinued as it is effective only for acute episodes and not for the maintenance. You may continue on the same drugs. If at all you have any further depression then the divalproex dose may have to be increased and other options are adding olanzapine/quetiapine/aripiprazole which are all good options.
Also there is an option of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness. It can work good with your drugs.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
It can be continued
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Depakote at 1000mg per day is mostly sufficient as it is given in the dose of 15-20mg/kg. Moreover at present you dont have any depressive symptoms and that suggests that your depakote 1000mg is doing good and you dont need any additional dosage of depakote. Paliris can be discontinued as it is effective only for acute episodes and not for the maintenance. You may continue on the same drugs. If at all you have any further depression then the divalproex dose may have to be increased and other options are adding olanzapine/quetiapine/aripiprazole which are all good options.
Also there is an option of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness. It can work good with your drugs.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Further I want to ask for how long I have to continue these drugs?is it life long or for sometime.if sometime how long?please let me know
Brief Answer:
Depends
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It depends on the number of mood swing episodes you have had. If it is only 2 episodes then the medications can be discontinued after 3 years of good remission of symptoms and that too gradually with the consent of your psychiatrist. However if there are more than 2 episodes then you need to continue for an indefinite period. may be for 8-10 years or so.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD
Depends
Detailed Answer:
Hello
It depends on the number of mood swing episodes you have had. If it is only 2 episodes then the medications can be discontinued after 3 years of good remission of symptoms and that too gradually with the consent of your psychiatrist. However if there are more than 2 episodes then you need to continue for an indefinite period. may be for 8-10 years or so.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I am taking the change of medication ,the one which I mentioned in my first mail...which is:depakote1000 mg and buspin10 mg.the first one I am taking at night and buspin he asked to take in afternoon and discontinue paliris.today buspin I took in the afternoon and it had strong reaction like my head felt heavy.should I take ahaf of that and at night suits me better.so buspin5 mg and depakote1000 should be enough at night everyday?
Brief Answer:
Yes that should be good
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes you may do that. If 10mg buspin is not suiting you then you may take in divided doses with 5 mg in the after noon and 5mg at night and it should be OK. Its good that you have discontinued paliris.
Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD
Yes that should be good
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes you may do that. If 10mg buspin is not suiting you then you may take in divided doses with 5 mg in the after noon and 5mg at night and it should be OK. Its good that you have discontinued paliris.
Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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