Q: deplin
Hi there
Get ready as I have tons of information for you!
Doctor Ballas had written an article for our site about Deplin which you can read here.
Deborah Gray has also written on this topic which you may find here.
And here is the link to the site for Deplin where they provide this information:
"How Does Deplin® Work?
Deplin® works by using a natural process within the body to develop more of the neurotransmitters that may be lacking. Additional neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine enable the antidepressant you may be taking to be more effective.
Deplin® contains 7.5 mg of L-methylfolate, the only active form of folate that can cross the blood brain barrier.
Normalizing neurotransmitters, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine enables your antidepressant to work better.
When will I feel an effect and what can I expect?
You may begin to feel better after taking Deplin for 1 to 2 weeks, but the full effect may take 4 to 6 weeks. You may feel an improvement in one or more of the following areas:
Drive
Initiative
Alertness
Concentration
Mood
Sociability"
I hope this helps some. Please tell us if Deplin helps you or if you notice a difference. I am sure many here on the site would like to know.
I have been suffering from depression and was having side effects from different anti-depressants my Dr. wanted me to go back to Zoloft which I had taken years ago but it became less and less effective. I am currently taking 50 mg.s of zoloft and the deplin and am able to tell a significant difference! My energy is much better, concentration, and overall happiness. The only problem is that I think it makes me feel a bit edgy or anxious. Any advice about this would be helpful.
Well my post is similar to the previous one. Deplin is considered a dietary suppliment that has not yet been proved as an effective treatment for depression. However, there are many cases in which the symptoms have not been as sever when used in combination with an antidepressents.
When folic acid is broken down in your body, it is turned into a chemical called deplin. Deplin is used to produce Seritonin, Norepinephrin, and dopimine. If you lack Deplin, your seritonin and other Neurotransmitters are lacking, causing a chemical imbalance such as depression and bipolar. This is not a cure for either disease, but in some patients is improves their mood.
Lack of folic acid is common in patients who have a genetic blood disorder called MTHFR. 9 out of 10 people with MTHFR is diagnosed with depression.
I my self have been diagnosed Bipolar for 4 yrs now, and diagnosed with MTHFR for 3yrs.
My doctor recently started my on Deplin. Honestly i know there was previous research, but i did figure this out on my own during a paper for my psych class. I walked into my doctors office 3 days ago and noticed the pamphlet for deplin. after reading this, i told my doctor this may be what i need. after explaining to him about the booklet and what i found during my research for school, he looked at me with his mouth wide open and said... whoa.. ok.i totally had his attention!
so i hope some of the info i provided helps and good luck
Amy
Pamlab increased the price for 30 Deplin 7.5 tablets from $45.88 in January 2010 to $75.63 in February 2010. Pamlab is the only distributor of Deplin in the USA. Will they increase the price another $30.00 in March as more doctors prescribe this "Food Medicine" to their patients for Brain Injuries as well as depression? This is highway robbery! If you don't believe me, check the price at Wal-Mart! Of course, it's not covered by most insurance companies because of its "Food Medicine" classification.
I did not know about the price increase until I picked up my prescription yesterday. Ouch! Yes, highway robbery. Today I am looking for alternatives - the new price is above my comfort zone. I wonder how many people are doing the same.
I just came from Target pharmacy after filling my Lamictal Rx (in generic) for a 90-day supply and decided to forego the Deplin.
FYI: It is usually a better deal to buy Rx's with 90-day supply rather than 30 days because some ins co's will let you pay a co-pay price of 2 mos instead of 3. If you are on a med regularly that you dont think will change for a while, I would recommend this as it may save a lot of money. Just remember, you have to ask your Dr to write the Rx for the 90 days. I didnt know this for many years while I was on Rx's >:o(
In reference to the Deplin price issue, I can relate. I started on Deplin last year to help my Lexapro Rx (anti-dep) to work better. I think it did help some, but not enough to justify what it costs now! My ins, Blue Choice, doesnt cover it at all. In the past, when I did have it filled it for 30 days the price had been around $45. When I got it for 90 days it was about $92. I was ok with this.
Sometime later when I got a 30-day supply, it was $52. I questioned this, but the pharmacy never knows about any of this and couldnt tell me anything. When I got my 90-day supply in Nov 09, the price was $139.99 (my price with discount card from my dr was $127.11). I just paid it and took my Rx.
Last month before I left my appt, I forgot to ask my dr to write it for 90 days. I went to have it filled for 30 days and they said the price was $85! I said to them that I had gotten 3 mos' worth last time for only $42 more. I said I'll hold off and get a 90-day Rx slip and go without for a little while.
I went to pick the 90-day supply with my Lamictal and the price on the info sheet was $204.40 !! and that was AFTER the discount card was applied. The original price was $224.49.
This may be the best form of folate/folic acid out there, but this is price-gouging if you ask me. My dr is going to have to suggest something else.
Anyway, that's my opinion.
Ditto to all who replied! I was taking Deplin to boost the effects of Wellbutrin and Celexa. It really worked, especially with my PMS. It was not covered by my insurance but since my pharmacy only charges $4/month for the generics of my SSRI, I felt like I could justify the $45/month for the Deplin. When it jumped to $85, I about fell over. Can't justify that! So, I've stopped taking it for now. Haven't found a replacement and now am experiencing wicked PMS again. I think it really stinks.
for my deplin- i go through mail order -bhd. the toll free number is 866-331-6440 ext. 1. 3 month supply of 15mg or 7.5mg for 144.00 (48/month) if you want 7.5 tab just split 15 mg in half and you'll have enough for 6 months. Hope this helps.
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Regarding the recent increase in Deplin price: Until November '09, my insurance company covered Deplin, so my cost was merely a co-pay. Beginning in December I had to pay full freight for this drug. Since that time, there has been a large increase in price each subsequent month. During my co-pay days, I do not know if Deplin had been increasing in price; however, I have recently been wondering if Pamlab has purposefully been raising the price in response to insurance companies dropping coverage on the drug. In this way, the consumer pays a higher price for the drug than what had previously been a lower price agreement between the drug manufacturer and the insurance companies. If my theory is correct, then this plan may backfire. I will most certainly ask the prescribing physician if another medicine can be used to replace Deplin. Pamlab might see a decrease in the number of Deplin prescriptions filled. At some point in time, they may see that their price point is too high, and might lower the price in response to a decrease in sales.