Posted by James Justice on September 6, 1999, at 17:40:03
In reply to 209 Depakote level, posted by Joan on September 6, 1999, at 7:22:52
> Last spring I tried Depakote for moderation of bipolar disorder. No other medications. Apparently, I overdosed on the stuff -- experienced "drunken" like effects -- slurred speech, disrupted balance, police suspected I was inebriated, paramedics tooks me to an emergency room, where I was subjected to charcoal flushing. Was this necessary? Lab showed 209 Depakotre level? What danger was I in? Was some other nonemergency response more appropriate/ less costly? Did I have any right to refuse such medical intervention? Would appreciate any leads.
First of all, I can tell you that the therapeutic plasma level of Depakote should be in the range of 50 to 100 micrograms/mL. 209 sounds toxic, and it is easy to see why you experienced those symptoms.
As far as how you were treated at the hospital, the charcoal treatment would only be helpful if you had recently ingested an overdose of Depakote, not if you were just at a toxic blood level. Emergency rooms usually do administer charcoal "just in case", and it is not harmful, but a bit expensive. Since you had accumulated that Depakote level over time, there is little that can be done in an ER. They could try hemodialysis or tandem hemodialysis in the hope that not too much of the drug is protein-bound already. Naloxone could be used to reduce some of the bad side effects, but it must be used carefully as it could cause a Depakote withdrawal seizure. Overall, this was a tricky situation.I am glad to hear that you are OK. Be very careful if you continue on Depakote and get blood levels at least weekly from now on.
James
poster:James Justice
thread:11099
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990829/msgs/11130.html