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Neurology (Expert Forum)
change in depokote dosage
Answered by
Lama Chahine, MD - Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland - OH
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Doctor's Answer
by Lama Chahine, MD, Jul 10, 2008 10:14AM
, Jul 10, 2008 10:14AM
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
It seems you are wondering if changing the dose of depkaote can "shock" your body. I am not sure if by shock you mean increase your seizures or just cause you to have side effects, but I will do my best to answer your question.
As you know, depakote is an anti-epileptic medication used to treat seizures. It is not entirely clear how it works, but it is defintely known to affect several parts of the nervous system. As you know, depakote blood levels can be monitored. Increases in the blood level can cause side effects, and decreases in the blood levels may lead to seizures, if the blood level is not "therapeutic".
A drop from 1200 mg a day to 750 mg a day can certainly change the blood levels of the medication. This could lead to seizures. "Withdrawal" per se, such as the symptoms of withdrawal people experience when they abruptly stop medications of addiction, is not a feature of going down on the dose of most antiepileptics. The antiepileptics that may be associated with withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly include phenobarbital, diazepam, clonazepam, and phenytoin. The symptoms may include feelings of anxiety, panic, restlessness or sweating. However, increased seizures may be a feature of a drop in dosage of any antiepileptic.
Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find this information useful. Good luck
It seems you are wondering if changing the dose of depkaote can "shock" your body. I am not sure if by shock you mean increase your seizures or just cause you to have side effects, but I will do my best to answer your question.
As you know, depakote is an anti-epileptic medication used to treat seizures. It is not entirely clear how it works, but it is defintely known to affect several parts of the nervous system. As you know, depakote blood levels can be monitored. Increases in the blood level can cause side effects, and decreases in the blood levels may lead to seizures, if the blood level is not "therapeutic".
A drop from 1200 mg a day to 750 mg a day can certainly change the blood levels of the medication. This could lead to seizures. "Withdrawal" per se, such as the symptoms of withdrawal people experience when they abruptly stop medications of addiction, is not a feature of going down on the dose of most antiepileptics. The antiepileptics that may be associated with withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped abruptly include phenobarbital, diazepam, clonazepam, and phenytoin. The symptoms may include feelings of anxiety, panic, restlessness or sweating. However, increased seizures may be a feature of a drop in dosage of any antiepileptic.
Thank you for the opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find this information useful. Good luck
