Is It Safe To Take Xanax Along With Depakote?

Posted on Wed, 10 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 Answered on

Wed, 1 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My son is taking xanax with depakote. Is that ok? He has gained lots of weight, depressed and sleepy and sluggish.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
dose reduction should be considered.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns for your son.

For what indications is your son taking these drugs?
Since when he is feeling depressed?

Depakote can cause weight gain.

Xanax can cause sleepiness and sluggishness.

The combination is fine.
But as your son is having these side effects, I think dose reduction should be done taking into consideration the improvement in his symptoms.

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.

Hope this helps.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (5 minutes later)

isnt depakote use to prevent seizures when taken off xanax

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
multiple uses of depakote.

Detailed Answer:
Yes depakote is used to control seizures.

But its also used as a mood-stabiliser in mood disorders.

Its also used in prophylaxis of migraine.

Depression can be a sequelae of epilepsy or it can be an independent mood disorder.

So, the indication for which the drug is given is very important.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar