Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 222696

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Is combo of Depakote/Lithium causing weight probs?

Posted by Janelle on April 27, 2003, at 0:35:15

My pdoc FINALLY found something to stablize my moods - low doses of Depakote and Lithium (actually I'd heard this before he even tried it). I'm taking 250 mg/night of Depakote with 450 mg/night of Lithium Carbonate.

I have heard that EACH of these meds alone, never mind together(!), can cause weight gain - and this is what seems to be happening to me. Then again, I haven't been watching my intake very well either.

What I'm wondering is 1) is it true that Depakote, Lithium cause weight gain and 2) is it dose-related? (I'm hoping that being on low doses might be *better*, but then again I'm on both of the meds, so perhaps the combo is a high level so to speak)?

HELP! Thanks.

Re: Is combo of Depakote/Lithium causing weight probs? » Janelle

Posted by Ritch on April 27, 2003, at 12:07:47

In reply to Is combo of Depakote/Lithium causing weight probs?, posted by Janelle on April 27, 2003, at 0:35:15

> My pdoc FINALLY found something to stablize my moods - low doses of Depakote and Lithium (actually I'd heard this before he even tried it). I'm taking 250 mg/night of Depakote with 450 mg/night of Lithium Carbonate.
>
> I have heard that EACH of these meds alone, never mind together(!), can cause weight gain - and this is what seems to be happening to me. Then again, I haven't been watching my intake very well either.
>
> What I'm wondering is 1) is it true that Depakote, Lithium cause weight gain and 2) is it dose-related? (I'm hoping that being on low doses might be *better*, but then again I'm on both of the meds, so perhaps the combo is a high level so to speak)?
>
> HELP! Thanks.

Janelle, I never experienced much significant weight gain on lithium over the 20 or so years I was taking it. Depakote has been a different story, but it IS dose-related. I can take up to 375mg/day and not see much change at all. However, if I go to 500mg+/day I definitely pack on some pounds. This dose-related phenomemon is talked about on Dr. Phelp's site www.psycheducation.org. He (Dr. Phelp's) mentions the dosage where the weight-gain gets sigificiant as "750mg/day or so". Maybe you don't have to worry much about it.

Thanks; that's what I've been thinking! (nm) » Ritch

Posted by Janelle on April 27, 2003, at 14:16:44

In reply to Re: Is combo of Depakote/Lithium causing weight probs? » Janelle, posted by Ritch on April 27, 2003, at 12:07:47

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