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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by colin_wallace on January 12, 2004, at 8:17:57
Hi there,
Has anyone successfully switched from one anticonvulsant to another without a slow taper of one and gradual introduction of the other?
I'm thinking of switching from Lamictal to a (roughly)equivalent dose of Trileptal for a trial, and the info. I've turfed up suggests a straight switch is okay- less potential for unwanted med. interactions.
I'd like to hear from anyone who's done this in practice, preferrably someone who hasn't turned green and lost essential bodyparts in the process.Cheers,
Col.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 12, 2004, at 8:52:33
In reply to Switching Anticonvulsants, posted by colin_wallace on January 12, 2004, at 8:17:57
Hi Colin,
I've switched directly from one anticonvulsant to another many times without incident. Specifically, I've switched immediately from Depakote to Trileptal, from Trileptal to Neurontin, Neurontin to Gabitril, Gabitril to Lamictal, and from Lamictal back to Neurontin. These med changes took place over a period of years under the supervision of several different doctors -- not one of them was ever at all hesitant about abruptly D/C'ing one AC and beginning another. I've certainly never experienced any sort of withdrawal syndrome due to anticonvulsants... it was never any shock to my system whatsoever. YMMV, but this has been my experience.
Posted by AnneL on January 12, 2004, at 9:38:23
In reply to Re: Switching Anticonvulsants » colin_wallace, posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 12, 2004, at 8:52:33
Hi AMV,
I will discuss this with my pdoc first, but in your opinion, would it be OK to d/c Lamictal (for BPII) without tapering off? Total time on Lamictal 2 months. Current dose 200 mg.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 12, 2004, at 10:47:08
In reply to Questions about Anticonvulsants. . . » Ame Sans Vie, posted by AnneL on January 12, 2004, at 9:38:23
> Hi AMV,
>
> I will discuss this with my pdoc first, but in your opinion, would it be OK to d/c Lamictal (for BPII) without tapering off? Total time on Lamictal 2 months. Current dose 200 mg.If it were me, I would taper off. I was only on Lamictal for a couple weeks at 200mg and stopped taking it as soon as it began giving me Paxil-like side effects. And it's due to those side effects that I'd recommend a taper -- if the side effects are any indication that Lamictal is similar to SSRIs, then withdrawal could be torture. Of course, I may be wrong.
Posted by colin_wallace on January 13, 2004, at 13:16:28
In reply to Re: Switching Anticonvulsants » colin_wallace, posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 12, 2004, at 8:52:33
> Hi Colin,
>
> I've switched directly from one anticonvulsant to another many times without incident. Specifically, I've switched immediately from Depakote to Trileptal, from Trileptal to Neurontin, Neurontin to Gabitril, Gabitril to Lamictal, and from Lamictal back to Neurontin. These med changes took place over a period of years under the supervision of several different doctors -- not one of them was ever at all hesitant about abruptly D/C'ing one AC and beginning another. I've certainly never experienced any sort of withdrawal syndrome due to anticonvulsants... it was never any shock to my system whatsoever. YMMV, but this has been my experience.
Thanks Ame,That's a comfort; let's hope my switches are equally painless......
Cheers,
Col.
This is the end of the thread.
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