Sunday, February 12, 2012
Monday, October 27, 2008 Steve asks

Q: Are there statistics available for length of treatment of manic-depression with Depakote?

I have a 25 year-old son with severe agitated-depression who is currently hospitalized. 

He has a heightened sensitivity to the SSRI's and Seroquel and has been detoxed for them.  Last week ECTwas recommended but has been declined.  Depakote has been

today given to him to control psychotic-like behavior (hitting himself, muscular contortions, pacing for hours on end). 

 

Given the drugs history of liver and pancreatic toxicity, how long can the doctors use this drug for therapy.  Has long-term use of Depakote been achieved???

 

Thank you for your reply.

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Answers (1)
10/27/08 3:40pm

Steve,

 

We know of patients who have been taking Depakote for years as a Migraine preventive. They do have blood work done on a regular basis to check the level of Depakote in the system and to monitor liver function.

 

However, dosage levels for Migraines are different than those for Bipolar Disorder, so I suggest you also ask this question on our Bipolar Disorder site, BipolarConnect.com.

 

Good luck to you and your son,

Teri

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