Posted by SLS on March 12, 2001, at 8:20:45
In reply to Re: Lamictal+Clonazepam=HYPOMANIA?CamW/Sunnely? » JahL, posted by Cece on March 11, 2001, at 22:46:51
Hi Cece and Jah,
> But, I take other mood stabilizers too- A little Depakote (which is calming for me but also potentiates Lamictal), and Nuerontin, and I take Xanax.
I think using Depakote to help prevent a manic reaction to Lamictal is a great idea in unequivocal bipolar disorder. I don't know if it would be desirable to so quickly add it if the self-reported hypomania is questionable. It would be a difficult judgment call that hopefully a doctor's experience can resolve. Certainly, mood liability appearing around the dosing to Klonipin is a confounding variable in coming to a decision. Actually, if true hypomania or full mania emerges with treatment, many doctors use this to diagnose bipolarity when it had not been suspected previously. This might be an important distinction to help choose future directions of treatment should it become necessary. As I am sure your doctor would be aware, taking Depakote affects dramatically the blood levels of Lamictal. Most often, the level of Lamictal is doubled, requiring a reduction in dosage. The general rule is to cut the dosage of Lamictal in half.
I think combining Lamictal with Neurontin has been growing in usage since the NIMH reported success with it for treating bipolar depression.
I am still suspect that Lamictal by itself is unreliable to prevent or control severe mania in many people.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:56140
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56279.html