Lamictal vs. Depakote

• Are Depakote and Lamictal the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lamictal?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Depakote?
• What is Lamictal?
• What is Depakote?
• What Drugs Interact with Lamictal?
• What Drugs Interact with Depakote?
• How Should Lamictal Be Taken?
• How Should Depakote Be Taken?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Depakote (divalproex sodium) are antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), also called anticonvulsants, used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications for treating certain types of seizures.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) is also used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches.

Lamictal may cause serious side effects, including:

• dizziness,
• shaking (tremors),
• sleepiness,
• tired feeling,
• drowsiness,
• loss of coordination,
• headache,
• double vision,
• blurred vision,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• stomach pain,
• dry mouth,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• back pain,
• sore throat,
• runny nose, or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

Serious side effects of Lamictal you should report to your doctor include:

• rash,
• worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, and
• flu-like symptoms such as body aches or swollen glands.

Common side effects of Depakote include:

• drowsiness,
• weakness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• mood swings,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• enlarged breasts,
• weight changes,
• agitation,
• tremor (shaking),
• vision changes,
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth, and
• hair loss.

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications for treating certain types of seizures.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a stable coordination compound comprised of sodium valproate and valproic acid used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraine headaches. Generic Depakote (termed divalproex sodium) is available under several other names.

Lamictal may interact with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, or rifampin.

Lamictal may also interact with hormonal forms of birth control (pills, injections, implants, or skin patches), divalproex, oxcarbazepine, or valproic acid.

Depakote may interact with carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, or rifampin.

Depakote may also interact with ritonavir, aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics, felbamate, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clonazepam, diazepam, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, tolbutamide, warfarin, zidovudine, lorazepam, and topiramate.

• Lamictal doses depend on the condition being treated and on whether it is used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications.

• The recommended initial dose of Depakote to treat mania is 750 mg daily in divided doses. The dose of Depakote to treat epilepsy as monotherapy should be initiated at 10 to 15 mg/kg/day. The recommended starting dose of Depakote to treat migraines is 250 mg twice daily.