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Suffering From Bipolar Disorder, Depression. Can I Take Divalproex 250 Mg?
was wondering if divalproex sod dr 250 mg twice a day is right for me. i now i suffer from depression. have been for a long time. ive been taking citalopram 20 mg for a month now and notice a big differance. but told the doc i feel like maybe i needed a higher dose, cause i still feel alittle down some days. and he said im bipolar. ?
Mon, 22 Jul 2013
Hi
From what i could gather, you were taking citalopram 20 mg for your depression and after a month you feel better. But you still felt a little down and your doctor subsequently told you that you have bipolar disorder.
Now bipolar disorder is a 'mood disorder' having a positive pole characterized by mania and other by depression. If its bipolar, it is not safe to take antidepressant (citalopram) alone, since it increases the chance for a switch to the manic pole.
Divalproex is one of the mood stabilizers, which are the first line drugs for bipolar disorder. But then, it is not advisable to start divalproex on your own since it has a number of side effects. So discuss the issue with your psychiatrist and sort it out.
Hope this helps.
Dr A Rao Kavoor
From what i could gather, you were taking citalopram 20 mg for your depression and after a month you feel better. But you still felt a little down and your doctor subsequently told you that you have bipolar disorder.
Now bipolar disorder is a 'mood disorder' having a positive pole characterized by mania and other by depression. If its bipolar, it is not safe to take antidepressant (citalopram) alone, since it increases the chance for a switch to the manic pole.
Divalproex is one of the mood stabilizers, which are the first line drugs for bipolar disorder. But then, it is not advisable to start divalproex on your own since it has a number of side effects. So discuss the issue with your psychiatrist and sort it out.
Hope this helps.
Dr A Rao Kavoor
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