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Any Thoughts About The Side Effects Of Kepakote For Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder?
Regarding Kepakote ER 1000mg at bedtime. Started this medicine on 10/30,for treatment of Bipolar. I know I need blood work done regularly. I have some of common side effects. I heard that after about 2 weeks these will subside due to your body adjusting. Any thoughts?
Sat, 28 Dec 2013
welcome to HCM!
I have read your query carefully and understand that you are on depakote 1 mg for bipolar treatment.
First, I would like to tell that this is one of the best medicines to manage bipolar disorder.
second, that this drug should be checked with blood tests at regular intervals to stay out of any major side effects.
Reading your question tells that you are aware of its common side effects and also that you get blood test. I donot know if you are aware of the test in which one has to check the levels of this drug in blood is known to you?
The above said blood test tell if the levels of this drug is enough/ low / high in a persons body. Which helps in adjusting the dose , preventing another attack of bipolar, as well as taking care of toxicity.
The drug is notorious to increase weight by increasing appetite, so, one needs to control diet and check what he eats from the beginning.
Also, sometimes it can cause acne and hair problems, so, if some one faces it, it should be handled from starting and not ignored.
Then there are some common gastric side effects and sedation which usually go away in some days by themselves.
thirdly, all patients donot have all side effects, so please donot go reading about it from net and trouble your self! Eat good, exersice, take regular medicine and get tests--- to stay fit!
Hope you remain well.
Feel free to ask more questions
Dr. Manisha Gopal
I have read your query carefully and understand that you are on depakote 1 mg for bipolar treatment.
First, I would like to tell that this is one of the best medicines to manage bipolar disorder.
second, that this drug should be checked with blood tests at regular intervals to stay out of any major side effects.
Reading your question tells that you are aware of its common side effects and also that you get blood test. I donot know if you are aware of the test in which one has to check the levels of this drug in blood is known to you?
The above said blood test tell if the levels of this drug is enough/ low / high in a persons body. Which helps in adjusting the dose , preventing another attack of bipolar, as well as taking care of toxicity.
The drug is notorious to increase weight by increasing appetite, so, one needs to control diet and check what he eats from the beginning.
Also, sometimes it can cause acne and hair problems, so, if some one faces it, it should be handled from starting and not ignored.
Then there are some common gastric side effects and sedation which usually go away in some days by themselves.
thirdly, all patients donot have all side effects, so please donot go reading about it from net and trouble your self! Eat good, exersice, take regular medicine and get tests--- to stay fit!
Hope you remain well.
Feel free to ask more questions
Dr. Manisha Gopal
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