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Switching from Depakote to Lamictal
Wed, 05/31/2006 - 22:43Topic: Medication Issues
Has anyone switched to Lamictal while taking Depakote? My 23 month son is finally controlled on the Depakote, but for long term we were wanting to switch him to Lamictal, which our ped neuro is fully supportive of, due to the lesser of the side effects possibilities. The problem we are facing is that none of the pharmacies here have the 2 mg tablets and we might have to go out of state just to get his meds. We are only 30 minutes to the next state and big city, so it wouldn't be that bad, but I just keep asking myself if I am making the right choice. I realize that the chances of having a negative effect from the Depakote is very slim, and it is controlling most of his seizures. HOWEVER, as a parent, I know that Lamictal has pretty much the same effectiveness on the seizures and also has less effects on organs as well as no need for lab work every three months (mostly due to age). Any info or thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks so much!xz
Comments
Re: Switching from Depakote to Lamictal
Submitted by blueheeler1998 on Fri, 2007-04-06 - 15:02
blueheeler1998
Hello. We are in Ohio. My 5 year old daughter is on Depakote and Lamictal. Still haven't controlled the seizures, but we just started the lamictal. Wal-mart pharmacy had to order in her 5 mg chewable tablets. We have to split them as our pediactric neurologist is taking her dosage up 2.5 mg at a time. I tried four pharamacy's before finding that Wal-mart would order it in. Our insurance requires generics unless there isn't one, so she is really on the generic. Don't know if that is any help, but I figure it couldn't hurt to write. blueheeler1998
Jolie, my daughter takes
Submitted by ScottM on Thu, 2006-06-01 - 05:55
Jolie, my daughter takes Lamictal. she is on 800mgs a day (400x2 day) and she has had side effects whats so ever from it expect 1 a qrtr she gets tired run down so she will sleep for 10-12 hrs get up be fine later in the after noon take a nap. next day she is ready to go. she has bee on it for 3 yrs now and it doesnt seem to be holding like it did in the begining. her system is so used to it now. the seizures come more freq and biggers. thats why were adding keppra to her daily dosage. before you switch you may want to see if your insurance will cover the meds out of state OR.. lookn into a 3 mnth supply via the mail. there's alot of company's that will mail perscriptions out 3 mnth supply. my insurance supports that. that may be a better route to go and cheaper. just my .02 worth. scott