My doctor just started me on Depakote (500mg once a day at night). I have read so many NEGATIVE things about this drug and I am a bit scared to tell you the truth. Another thing is that I am already on 6 Percocet 10-325's a day (sometimes more) for chronic pain. Does anyone know if these two interfere w/ each other. I know that I can take them together but it seems that the Depakote makes my percocet "less strong." Is anyone else out there on BOTH the medications?? Can anyone give me any info on Depakote and your experiences with it!? I am scared about the hair loss and weight gain!! I just started the Depakote yesterday and want to STOP taking it if I need to before I get too "dependant" on it. Any help would be extremely appreciated!! Thank you so much in advance!!
2007-04-21 13:47:24 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
no.. I dont have a weight problem. I am 5'3" and weigh 122 lbs. The problem is that after having 2 kids I FINALLY lost the weight and am once again happy w/ the way I look. I dont want that to change!! I am taking it b/c I can NOT take anti-depressants (they throw me in the OPPOSITE direction) and I suffer from depression. I know that it is a mood stabilizer. I am just scared of all the horrible things that I have heard about it. I am calling my doc on Monday to see what else is out there and my other options but it being the weekend and all.. I was just hoping to have some input before then! Thanks again to all of you!
2007-04-21 14:41:29 · update #1
Dump the Depakote - can result in huge weight gain. Put 80 lbs on my already fat butt in 6 years. (Not fat anymore! :o)
Topamax can do the same prophylactic job and may have weight loss as a side effect.
Studies indicate that taking 400mg each of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and Magnesium Citrate (www.vitalady.com) can also help prevent migraine.
2007-04-24 11:07:14 · answer #1 · answered by rayehawk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're worried about drug dependence, the depakote isn't the one you need to be concerned with. It's the percocet. Depakote is nonaddictive. Percocet is a narcotic and is addictive. If you're taking 6 percocet a day you're already abusing them. They are to be taken no more than every 4 hours, and 6x4 is 24. You're awake 24 hours a day? Not everyone has hair loss from depakote and usually that side effect disappears after a while. Not everyone gains weight on it. I didn't, and I gain weight easily.
2016-03-18 05:08:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, what are you taking the depakote for? It can be used for a couple of disease states. There may be other options that don't cause as much weight gain depending on what you are using it for. However, your doctor should know that so I am assuming that you don't have a weight problem to begin with. I would moniter your weight to be sure that depakote isn't affecting your weight
As far as anyinteractions with Percocet, there are no major ones. However, they can both cause drowsiness so please be careful while driving or doing something that requires full alertness (like watching a baby etc).
One little point I want to bring up, is that if you see symptoms of liver damage that include weakness, tiredness, swelling in the face, and loss of appetite, please continue to take your medicine - but contact your doctor as soon as possible.
2007-04-21 14:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by I'MaBree 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey there i have been on that medicine back in 97 or 98 and yes it is a bad drug.There are more out there that can do a better job with your moods then that drug.I had a bad reaction with it.It make me flip out and start seeing things and headaches like crazy.I do have to have Pain medicine every day for my leg.I take Oxycontin 20mg 1 every 12 hours and lortab if i need them.I would like to have the percocets more then i would these Oxycontin yeah they are the same medicine but i like the percocets better.I can control them better.Anyways i hope you get what your looking for talk to the Doctor.Take it easy.and if you need any more questions answered just E-mail me.JOEY
2007-04-21 17:27:37 · answer #4 · answered by djjojo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can understand your concerns about taking this medication. I think a person's gut instincts are usually correct. Talk with your medical doctor about your concerns and why you feel this drug may not be for you. This is mainly used as an anti depressant and for help with chronic pain. There are other medicines like this with less side effects. What I don't like about this medicine is the extreme possibility of liver problems and the necessity to have your blood levels checked monthly because of liver complications.
2007-04-21 13:56:25 · answer #5 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depakote is NOT an anti depressant. It is a mood stablizer. But u will need to have ur blood checked regularly. ALso u need to take the medicine regularly (if you stay on it). If you dont take it regularly and they check ur blood it could look like your depakote levels aren't high enough and the doctor could increase the meds not knowing the level is low because it is not being taken regularly. But all in all, talk to your doctor again because it sounds like you are not wanting to try this medication.
2007-04-21 14:02:54 · answer #6 · answered by inkedcalf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call your pharmacist and ask him these questions as he can tell you if these drugs will interact together. don't stop them on your own.
2007-04-21 13:54:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋