Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 349189

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Trileptal

Posted by sgomez01 on May 21, 2004, at 10:17:19

Does anyone use this for bipolar? and if so how is it working?

 

Re: Trileptal » sgomez01

Posted by psychosage on May 21, 2004, at 13:26:30

In reply to Trileptal, posted by sgomez01 on May 21, 2004, at 10:17:19

> Does anyone use this for bipolar? and if so how is it working?


I do, and I have not had a true mania or hospitalization in a while.

 

Re: Trileptal

Posted by sgomez01 on May 21, 2004, at 13:37:04

In reply to Re: Trileptal » sgomez01, posted by psychosage on May 21, 2004, at 13:26:30

What kind of side effects do you have? How many mg are you on? I a little nervous about trying this one because I had such terrible side effects from topamax and depakote

 

Re: Trileptal » sgomez01

Posted by psychosage on May 21, 2004, at 23:35:16

In reply to Re: Trileptal, posted by sgomez01 on May 21, 2004, at 13:37:04

> What kind of side effects do you have? How many mg are you on? I a little nervous about trying this one because I had such terrible side effects from topamax and depakote

if you know how to do a search, I have done a number of posts on Trileptal. I have been on it for a year.

I have been on as high as 1200mg.

I have no real side effects now. What I do experience is the general dampening that is supposed to be theraputic for us bipolar folk.

It's much more tolerable than Zyprexa for maintenance.

It never added a minute of sleep except when I started I immediately had to take a nap after half of the first metabolite was eliminated which takes 2 hours. Side effects last a few days to a week and occur every time you increase the dosage. Start slow as directed at like 150mg or 300mg.

Generally, I have experienced drunken dizziness, but it;s odd because it stimulates you a little like alcohol. It's not quite the same sedation that you get from Zyprexa or a benzo.

I had some mild nausea, but it was entirely tolerable and not painful.

Basically, I have written what I have written in other posts, and other people will echo me.

I am not sure if it works because it is my first mood stabilizer, and the rest of my symptoms I address with other meds, exercise or therapy. It's hard to tell if you are just not having hypomanic symptoms because you are being normal or it's the drug.

I'm happy to have it on board though, since it's my first mood stabilizer. Looking at my illness through the bipolar lense is new for me.

I honestly do still have mixed moods and some depression still, but my body doesn't buzz and vibrate to the same extent it did when I was manic.

If my condition did get worse, I would have the Trileptal increased back to 1200mg. I am on 600mg.

I have had blood work done for my liver, my metabolics {sodium specifically for the Trileptal} and my oxcarbemazepine {trileptal} levels. That is what your doctor should order periodically.

Trileptal definitely interacts with other psych meds, so you have to adjust your dosing because it is likely it will be different than without Trileptal. That can mean Trileptal becomes stronger or the other drugs become stronger or weaker. I have not experienced another med making Trileptal weaker.

I have not had depakote or Topamax obviously, but from what I have heard from real-time friends is that both are sedating.

I consider Trileptal superior to antipsychotics and apparently favorable to other anticonvulsants as far as side effects.

The only skepticism I would have about it is whether it alone is strong enough to handle manic symptoms for me or anyone else. It's not commonly a drug that "overworks" or floors people over I interpret.

Dosing is twice a day, and perhaps you can do a 2:1 - night:day ratio or simply an even split dose {i.e. 600mg morning and 600mg at night}.

Good luck!

 

Re: Trileptal » psychosage

Posted by chemist on May 21, 2004, at 23:41:16

In reply to Re: Trileptal » sgomez01, posted by psychosage on May 21, 2004, at 23:35:16

hello, chemist here....why is your doctor interested in liver enzyme function in re: trileptal? the sodium balance is something to watch, but trileptal is metabolized hepatically by aryl ketone reductase, thus avoiding the 10,11-epoxide intermediate that is produced with tegretol, and the monohydroxy derivative - which is the active metabolite from either drug - is yielded. you should not need liver function tests if you are taking trileptal....all the best, chemist

 

Re: Trileptal

Posted by sgomez01 on May 22, 2004, at 14:32:32

In reply to Re: Trileptal » sgomez01, posted by psychosage on May 21, 2004, at 23:35:16

thank you so much for your information. I dont know how to look us more info on tripetal on this psycho-babble

 

Re: Trileptal » chemist

Posted by psychosage on May 23, 2004, at 20:55:20

In reply to Re: Trileptal » psychosage, posted by chemist on May 21, 2004, at 23:41:16

> hello, chemist here....why is your doctor interested in liver enzyme function in re: trileptal? the sodium balance is something to watch, but trileptal is metabolized hepatically by aryl ketone reductase, thus avoiding the 10,11-epoxide intermediate that is produced with tegretol, and the monohydroxy derivative - which is the active metabolite from either drug - is yielded. you should not need liver function tests if you are taking trileptal....all the best, chemist


hi, chemist. my doctor wasn't. the liver panels were routine, and I encourage them for those under the trend of polypharmacy. Even if you take a purportedly safe drug I think it's good to keep an eye on what you can especially if you can afford to do so. Consider this: Serzone.

 

Re: Trileptal » psychosage

Posted by chemist on May 23, 2004, at 22:20:51

In reply to Re: Trileptal » chemist, posted by psychosage on May 23, 2004, at 20:55:20

> > hello, chemist here....why is your doctor interested in liver enzyme function in re: trileptal? the sodium balance is something to watch, but trileptal is metabolized hepatically by aryl ketone reductase, thus avoiding the 10,11-epoxide intermediate that is produced with tegretol, and the monohydroxy derivative - which is the active metabolite from either drug - is yielded. you should not need liver function tests if you are taking trileptal....all the best, chemist
>
>
> hi, chemist. my doctor wasn't. the liver panels were routine, and I encourage them for those under the trend of polypharmacy. Even if you take a purportedly safe drug I think it's good to keep an eye on what you can especially if you can afford to do so. Consider this: Serzone.
>
point taken....mistook the trileptal lack of hepatic impairment with the larger picture...all the best, chemist


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