My Wife Has Been Taking Quitipin 100 Mg And Divaa

Posted on Tue, 18 Feb 2020

Question: My wife has been taking Quitipin 100 mg and Divaa O.D. 500 mg for last 1 year. She was diagnosed with mood swings in 1997 and has been under Lithium drugs and then later Quitipin 100 mg till 2017. Then she halved quitipin to 50 mg till 2018 January. There were change doctors since I got transferred. In January 2018, she had delirium got wild and was put to sleep..later she was given Quitipin 100 mg and Diva O.d as explained above in the opening line. Now a days she says when she takes Diva O.D her mood is highly elevated and during down side, she gets very anxious...repeats her statements many times...and keeps talking non stop while day. This change coincided with her menopause days..Meanwhile life style changes are being implemented to her liking...Would like to know whether anyone with similar circumstances would be able to discontinue Diva o.d...? We shall go by psychiatrist's advice , however wanted a second opinion.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is not advisable to stop Divaa OD at this stage

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

From the available description and choice of various drugs by different psychiatrists over the period of time it appears to me that she is probably suffering with mood disorder/bipolar affective disorder/manic depressive psychosis.

Considering the diagnosis and current set of symptoms I feel she is currently experiencing mixed affective state (a set of symptoms comprising both upside and down side of mood). In this stage there is need to either decrease the dose of quitipin or increase dose of Divaa OD or both. In case medications are not effective than going for alternative options such as Lurasidone or Lamotrigine is advisable.

I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)

Thank you. Doctor. As I understand, Divaao.d. needs to be taken for life time. This is not a "curative" pill like we may take for a stomach ache, or fever. Are there cases where patients who have taken such drugs lived long leading a quality life ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes there are many

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up and asking for something which is most frequent concern for family members for bipolar patients.

I like to share with you that almost two third and more have near normal life despite the diagnosis of bipolar disorder with appropriate treatment. As per my own clinical experience I can state that only some patients fail to respond with medications and need multiple medications during some stage of life.

I understand that sometime it is problematic for family members as well as patient but with proper care and regular follow up of mental health experts such patients can be treated appropriately.

I hope this answers you further.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D