Mindful Momma Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 seeing my pdoc soon and i've done some research on depakote and it seems like it might be a drug worth trying. i'm wondering what the difference between this drug and the other antipsychotics are. my next option is geodon and that one scares me a bit because of the side effects profile. depakote doesn't seem as bad and the benefits of stabilizing the cycling, particularly rapid cycling, seems appealing to me. so i was just wondering what the difference is. thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemisia Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Well, I don't know much, but Depakote's primary function is seizure control and prevention. Antipsychotics (both standard and the newer "atypical" ones) don't do that, and some may lower your seizure threshold. I think that when it comes to bipolar, lithium* or anticonvulsants like Depakote are used for long-term maintenace, whereas antipsychotics can help you squash (hypo-/)mania if/when it rears its ugly head. Some people are on antipsychotics for long-term maintenance, though... *Lithium also lowers your seizure threshold. EDIT: Apparently, Geodon may be more effective as an antidepressant than as an antipsychotic, but that of course really varies from person to person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I can't find any simple way to describe the difference between Depakote and Geodon, other than to use the general classification of their primary uses. The first is typically used as a mood stabilizer, the later as an antipsychotic. In comparison, what is aspirin? It's primarily a pain reliever, but is also used to prevent thrombosis and heart attacks. Don't be afraid to try any of the meds. Reading the side effect sheets will only worsen your fears. They list everything that ever happened to someone during trials, without actually ever checking to see if the drug caused it. If you refuse your doctor's recommendations then you are depriving yourself of the chance of finding the one drug that might work perfectly for you!! Lithium's chances of causing seizures are very low. Very low. This would normally only be a concern of someone with severe epilepsy that is poorly controlled. a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindful Momma Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 I can't find any simple way to describe the difference between Depakote and Geodon, other than to use the general classification of their primary uses. The first is typically used as a mood stabilizer, the later as an antipsychotic. In comparison, what is aspirin? It's primarily a pain reliever, but is also used to prevent thrombosis and heart attacks. Don't be afraid to try any of the meds. Reading the side effect sheets will only worsen your fears. They list everything that ever happened to someone during trials, without actually ever checking to see if the drug caused it. If you refuse your doctor's recommendations then you are depriving yourself of the chance of finding the one drug that might work perfectly for you!! Lithium's chances of causing seizures are very low. Very low. This would normally only be a concern of someone with severe epilepsy that is poorly controlled. a.m. so by comparrison, depakote would be a better mood stabilizer than geodon? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Elvis Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Geodon isn't classified as a mood stabilizer though it does help with mania for a lot of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Depakote has more evidence to back it up for rapid cycling than Geodon. It also has anti-migraine effects. Depakote is NOT a good drug in pregnancy, and it should not be used without reliable contraception on board. It actually can be used with hormonal contraception, unlike many antiepileptics. (Lithium is not ideal in pregnancy, but it is continued; Depakote is generally not used in pregnancy at all at this point, unless it is the only antiseizure drug that will work to control the mother's epilepsy.) Geodon can be a bit activating and destabilizing, per anecdata, so that would be something to talk about with your psychiatrist if you are in the mixed/rapid cycling end of things. Depakote and Geodon are completely different. It's like comparing apples and tractors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.