Posted by colin wallace on August 1, 2003, at 3:48:32
In reply to Re: Lamictal for Colin, posted by maryhelen on July 31, 2003, at 21:49:15
> What is valproate? When I was reading the info presented by GlaxoSmithKlein,it was referred to quite often. I took it as being a negative to combine the two. So to reduce the clearance of Lamitcal by a half is a good thing? I do not seem to be able to grasp or understand all of the chemical reactions, receptors, all of the HT things, that you and so many others do here at psycho babble. I guess I cheat and try to learn from everyone else's research.
>
> One thing that I do know, is that Lamitcal is a real puzzle to me.
>
Hi Maryhelen,Lamictal is a puzzle to me too;but anyway, valproate is another anticonvulsant(like Lamictal)which is used quite effectively as a mood stabilizer, although unlike Lamictal, it has no innate antidepressant qualities (too much of it can cause depression).
It can safely be combined with Lamictal, although the risk of initial rash is higher in those taking both meds- basically, they increase each others blood levels(by prolonging elimination from the body;a bad idea to jump in and take regular amounts of both, as the risk of rash is much higher than on either alone.
But the flip side is that you can take less of each, and still have the same 'effective' amount in your system.Quite safe if done gradually.
And as for Lamictal being a puzzle, I was only thinking yesterday that the AD properties of Lamictal could in some respects be regarded as a 'side-effect', and just like any other side-effect, some people eventually adjust and gain complete tolerance, whilst others never
overcome(in this case, a highly desirable side-effect)!!Here's to not gaining tolerance!!
Col.
poster:colin wallace
thread:246759
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247267.html