rowan77 Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Anybody taking a combination of sodium valproate and Seroquel XR? Does the combination work better than either one alone? Does Seroquel increase/decrease the effects of valproate and vice versa? Does the combination of Seroquel and valproate increase side effects especially weight gain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 43 minutes ago, rowan77 said: Does the combination of Seroquel and valproate increase side effects especially weight gain? I can only answer this question ... IME seroquel and valproate BOTH caused weight gain for me (but I took them separately). I am not sure of the weight gain side effect of taking them together. However it seems that if they both cause weight gain, then you'll gain weight. But I think the weight gain is more towards YMMV though. Like other side effects, some people get them, others don't. But in general, I gained weight on both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted October 4, 2016 Author Share Posted October 4, 2016 Yippee I have managed to lose 6 lbs in the last 2 weeks and that is when taking the sodium valproate along with Seroquel. I really worked hard at it though and not sure I can sustain that but here's hoping I will not gain weight on this combination and maybe continue to lose some even it is slow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 21 minutes ago, rowan77 said: Yippee I have managed to lose 6 lbs in the last 2 weeks and that is when taking the sodium valproate along with Seroquel. I really worked hard at it though and not sure I can sustain that but here's hoping I will not gain weight on this combination and maybe continue to lose some even it is slow Congratulations! It is ok if the weight loss is slow ... it will still be progress. I'm glad you have Slimming World to go to for support. From what you've written about it now and in the past, I think they've been really helpful for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted October 4, 2016 Author Share Posted October 4, 2016 46 minutes ago, melissaw72 said: Congratulations! It is ok if the weight loss is slow ... it will still be progress. I'm glad you have Slimming World to go to for support. From what you've written about it now and in the past, I think they've been really helpful for you. Quite honestly Melissa I would be totally lost without that leader and the group of people who are struggling with weight loss. We have something in common. We are on a similar journey with different reasons why we are overweight. I simply cannot do it on my own. I would not have the motivation. I'm really grateful for my Slimming world group Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 I am on 1250mg of Valproate, and 300mg of Seroquel XR. I just started the Seroquel, so my dose is small. The target dose is 600mg. So far, the more Seroquel XR I take, the less hungry I am, which I know is not a typical reaction to Seroquel. I do believe Valproate has made me gain some weight in the six years I have been on it. So far I am not really sure how the Seroquel XR works, but Valproate has always been really helpful. I've never heard of them cancelling each other out. Anyway, I wish you the best with everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morpheus Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 (edited) I take this combination,though not XR. This combo works very well for me. They works synergicaly, especially for mania and general mood stabilization. Valproate might increase quetiapine levels (http://psycheducation.org/treatment/mood-stabilizers/the-big-three-for-bipolar-depression/quetiapine-seroquel/) Quote A recent study indicates that people who are taking valproate (divalproex/Depakote) have much higher quetiapine levels for a given dose: 77% higher.Aichhorn This study was not “prospective”, meaning that they didn’t measure levels on quetiapine alone, then measure them again when combined with valproate. Instead, they just compared levels between patients who were or were not also on valproate. So these data are not “for sure”, but very suggestive that there is a significant interaction between these two medications. About weight gain, valproate seems to be weight neutral, while on quetiapine i've gained ~ 10kg in two years. Edited October 8, 2016 by centaurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 2 hours ago, centaurus said: I take this combination,though not XR. This combo works very well for me. They works synergicaly, especially for mania and general mood stabilization. Valproate might increase quetiapine levels (http://psycheducation.org/treatment/mood-stabilizers/the-big-three-for-bipolar-depression/quetiapine-seroquel/) About weight gain, valproate seems to be weight neutral, while on quetiapine i've gained ~ 10kg in two years. WOW!! I just worked it out. I am taking Seroquel XR 800mg. So 77% of 800 = 616 So, 800 + 616 = 1416 Technically I am taking 1416 mg of Seroquel XR. That's an overdose isn't it. Wonder why my pdoc didn't mention it. Must ask him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morpheus Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 (edited) Pharmokinetics, it's not so simple. I think there is only minor interaction, otherwise if valproate really increased quetiapine by 77% it would be a major interaction in PI sheets,but it's not. Edited October 9, 2016 by centaurus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted October 9, 2016 Author Share Posted October 9, 2016 5 hours ago, centaurus said: Pharmokinetics, it's not so simple. I think there is only minor interaction, otherwise if valproate really increased quetiapine by 77% it would be a major interaction in PI sheets,but it's not. Thanks. What a relief Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morpheus Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Just wondering, how you do now on this cocktail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted October 22, 2016 Author Share Posted October 22, 2016 I'm doing OK. Unfortunately the sodium valproate has not kicked in fully yet so that's a waiting game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morpheus Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Glad to hear. Valproate usually works fast on manic symptoms, but for general stabilization it takes time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 8 hours ago, centaurus said: Glad to hear. Valproate usually works fast on manic symptoms, but for general stabilization it takes time. I think I am feeling an improvement now. However I now have a crazy appetite and obsessed with food. I have gained 10 lbs in 2 weeks. I'm going to nip this in the budget right NOW before things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 1 hour ago, rowan77 said: I think I am feeling an improvement now. However I now have a crazy appetite and obsessed with food. I have gained 10 lbs in 2 weeks. I'm going to nip this in the budget right NOW before things Have you been going to Slimming World (I'm sorry, I forget the name of the support group there)? I know they are a big support system for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 22 hours ago, melissaw72 said: Have you been going to Slimming World (I'm sorry, I forget the name of the support group there)? I know they are a big support system for you. I was so embarrassed that I was gaining so much weight that I didn't go for a while! But I am back on track now Melissa. It is very tough but I cannot let it beat me. I am already very overweight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarahAnn Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 On 3 October 2016 at 6:13 PM, rowan77 said: Does the combination work better than either one alone? Does the combination of Seroquel and valproate increase side effects especially weight gain? 1. I've found this to be a good combination for my mania (was originally taking regular seroquel at night when I started sodium valproate) & mixed episodes. Taking both medications has also helped me with agitation & agressive behaviour. 2. Both medications are known for gaining weight but the side effects vary from individual to individual... When I started this combination in hospital I actually started to lose a few KGs in a matter of days but I have put it back on since leaving hospital. In conclusion I'm no heavier than I was when I first started taking both. (Bare in mind I still take regular seroquel at night & neulactil so things might work out different for you) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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