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What Causes Digestion Problem After Having Dicorate ER?
Question: hello dr. XXXXXX i am taking dicorate ER 1 gm for bipolar disorder since last hour year as per the advice of doctor and feeling much trouble in my digestive system and my stool is not clear. Is this is due to taking the medicines and should i have to stop the medicine.
Brief Answer:
Dose reduction can be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
Such is the nature of medicine divalproex ( dicorate ER) that it commonly causes gastric side effects like dyspepsia, constipation or diarrhea.
There are some options which can be considered in your case:
1. Dose of dicorate ER can be reduced to 750mg or less if you are stable and have no symptoms of bipolar disorder at present.
2. You can be shifted to alternative mood stabilisers like Lithium, carbamazepine or oxcarbazapine which are relatively safer over dicorate if we talk about gastric side effects.
3. You can take tablet omeprazole or any other antacid on regular basis if you have acid reflux and picosulphate or bisacodyl if you have constipation.
4. You can also consider some dietary and lifestyle modifications like increasing the amount of fibrous foods in your meals, increased liquid intake, avoid foods which cause gastric irritation like spices, tea, oil etc, going for a morning walk regularly etc.
Here I would like to mention that, whatever dose modification or alterations i have suggested are to be done ONLY UNDER YOUR TREATING DOCTOR's SUPERVISION.
Bipolar disorder is a relapsing disorder. Changing, reducing or stopping medicines on your own, without a doctor's advice, can lead to RELAPSE OF ILLNESS.
Please discuss above issues with your psychiatrist.
Hope this helps you.
I wish you good health.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta.
Dose reduction can be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
Such is the nature of medicine divalproex ( dicorate ER) that it commonly causes gastric side effects like dyspepsia, constipation or diarrhea.
There are some options which can be considered in your case:
1. Dose of dicorate ER can be reduced to 750mg or less if you are stable and have no symptoms of bipolar disorder at present.
2. You can be shifted to alternative mood stabilisers like Lithium, carbamazepine or oxcarbazapine which are relatively safer over dicorate if we talk about gastric side effects.
3. You can take tablet omeprazole or any other antacid on regular basis if you have acid reflux and picosulphate or bisacodyl if you have constipation.
4. You can also consider some dietary and lifestyle modifications like increasing the amount of fibrous foods in your meals, increased liquid intake, avoid foods which cause gastric irritation like spices, tea, oil etc, going for a morning walk regularly etc.
Here I would like to mention that, whatever dose modification or alterations i have suggested are to be done ONLY UNDER YOUR TREATING DOCTOR's SUPERVISION.
Bipolar disorder is a relapsing disorder. Changing, reducing or stopping medicines on your own, without a doctor's advice, can lead to RELAPSE OF ILLNESS.
Please discuss above issues with your psychiatrist.
Hope this helps you.
I wish you good health.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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