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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Oreo on April 21, 2000, at 17:29:07
Can you please comment if nausea is a side effect of depakote and whether it can cause nausea all over 24 hours even if all taken once (2000mg with evening meal)a day only? This started when dose was increased from 1500 to 2000 and has not abated after 2 1/2 weeks. About 1 1/2 hours after I eat anything the nausea hits so I don't even eat during the day at all now.
Also, I have terrible insomnia. Is Ambien something that can be taken for a long time? The pharmacy info says only use it for a few days at a time. However now that Remeronis stopped I stay awake the whole night and feel like jumping off a cliff the next day--unless I take the ambien.
Posted by Cam W. on April 23, 2000, at 20:40:45
In reply to Question for Cam about Depakote side effects, posted by Oreo on April 21, 2000, at 17:29:07
Oreo - Nausea is a side effect of Depakote, but usually isn't a problem or is transient (goes away as your body adjusts to the drug). Depakote (divalproex) is actually 2 valproic acid molecules bound together and break apart in the intestine. This saves the stomach from the tummy upset that valproic acid causes.Hopefully by the time you read my reply, the nausea will have lessened (have been away at the inlaws). Continue taking the Depakote with food, at least until the nausea abates. Also, when the nausea hits in between meals, try a couple of crackers to see if that helps. If the nausea continues, definitely tell your doctor (may be a good idea anyway).
As for the Ambien, I have no idea if it is safe to take long term. We do not have that drug in Canada, yet. As a general rule, all hypnotics (sleeping pills) are supposed to be prescribed short term and only as needed. This is a general rule adopted for benzodiazepines, in which tolerance and addiction can be an annoyance. With any sleeping pill, your body can become use to it and you may need it to get to sleep. Non-drug ways of sleep inducement are the safest (eg warm milk - yuck, but no kidding; exercising at least 3 hours before bed; going to bed an hour earlier than normal; or trying to figure out what is causing the insomnia and fixing that). Sorry for the wimpy answer, but I don't know what Ambien is. - Cam W.
This is the end of the thread.
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