Best Time of Day to Take Effexor XR & Depakote ER?

By CA 2 NJ Wednesday, April 25, 2007

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Hello everyone. I am new to taking Effexor XR and Depakote ER and have been experimenting a little with the time of day I take my doses. I have only been on these meds for about a week now.

I am currently only taking 37.5mg of Effexor XR with breakfast and 750mg Depakote ER about 2 hours before bed. I originally took the Effexor with dinner but found myself awake in the middle of the night.

I find myself being tired and wanting to sleep 12 hours a day. And this seems to be increasing with each passing day. I attribute this to the fact that the medicine is getting more into my body.

So I am wondering if there's a better time (or way) to take these meds. Should I take 250mg of Depakote ER at a different time instead of all 750mg at 1 time? Do I need to take Effexor XR with food? Should I take the Effexor right at bedtime even without food? That is what I'd like to do. In order to sleep through the side effects and also do the same with my Depakote, if possible.

I already take 3mg of Lunesta and 75mg of Seroquel to help me sleep at night as it is. I would love to cut out the Seroquel (or cut it back down to 25mg) as I feel this also makes me tired the next day.

If anyone has any suggestions or experiences they would like to share, I would really appreciate it because I find myself wanting to sleep almost all the time! And I am beginning to think I should take the Effexor at night even if it does wake me because at least then I wasn't as tired during the day.

Thanks everyone. And please don't be shy as I really could use some help. Take care!

Hugs,
CA 2 NJ

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Comments (3) | Add comment

zipper

4/26/07 6:16pm

I agree with you, try and cut down on the seroquel at bedtime, but at the same time wean off the lunesta and effexor.

Also divide up the 750 mgs of epival to 250 am and 500pm. You may find that if you cut out the lunesta, you'll need the 75 mg of seroquel for sleep.

The antidepressants are known to cause rapid cycling. Something no one deserves.

Hope this helps,

D.A.Y.

nancy

10/23/07 11:34am

Are you a medical dr.????

NANCY

10/23/07 11:32am

You really should discuss these meds and how/when to take them with the dr. who prescribed them. I take Effexor XR and Ambien and this is what my dr. told me about them.

It doesn't matter when you take the Effexor XR (extended release) just so you take it daily WITH FOOD. He told me not to take the Ambien every night because your body can build up a resistance to the doseage over time and it will become less effective over time. He said to take it every 2-3 days for best effectiveness. My personal opinion (I am not a dr.) would be to take the Effexor XR and the Depakote ER in the morning and the Lunesta and Seroquel at bedtime for a few weeks and see how it goes...but really you should talk to your prescribing dr. also about this after you have tried this regimen for a few weeks. Good Luck.

Best Time of Day to Take Effexor XR & Depakote ER?

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