250mg Depakote + 175mg Lamictal = How much Lamictal?

[JayBTV]

Posted this on Dr. Bob but didn't get a response. Any insight?

Hello,

I know Depakote increases the half life of Lamictal. Currently I'm taking only 250mg of Depakote with 175mg of Lamictal. The PI sheet for Lamictal says the interaction w/ Lamictal occurs somewhere between 250mg and 500mg. Does this mean I could potentially be taking ~350mgs of Lamictal?

I've been hoping to get off Depakote at some point so I kinda want to know approx where I'll have to go up to on Lamictal to keep my current levels.

Thanks for any insight!!

-Jay

[Loon-A-TiK]

there's a HUGE variable there, and that is how your body metabolizes lamictal. some people's bodies just rip through the stuff and they need more than others. it is also a weird drug in that you can't predict its effects until you take it. look at the wide range they gave you! 350mg doesn't seem out of bounds, but i'm NOT a pdoc.

ask your pdoc about going down on dep as you go up on lamictal. never cut dep cold turkey. your pdoc will know the correct doses.

i think it depends so much on your body and how you're feeling at certain doses. that has to be monitored by your pdoc.

[nalgas]

It's hard to say for sure until you actually fiddle with the dosages, but it is true that people generally end up taking roughly half as much while on things like Depakote. This study suggests that the interaction starts at a pretty low level, even lower than you're at. 350mg of Lamictal a day isn't necessarily all that high depending on what you're taking it for anyway.