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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bipolarspectrum on July 15, 2006, at 13:22:04
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone can give me a general idea of how blood levels correlate with depakote dose...i was at 1500 mg depakote, anyone know the estimate for there? is this a therapeutic dose? i dont feel that it calmed my bipolar...
btw, im a young male, 6'3 and 200 pounds, if that makes a difference...
thanx
bps
Posted by psychosage on July 15, 2006, at 14:59:57
In reply to Blood levels and Depakote, posted by bipolarspectrum on July 15, 2006, at 13:22:04
Go to the http://www.depakoteer.com/bipolar_hcp/dosing.html and you will find what the pharm company believes is approprite dosing. I have never been on depakote, but I have read that 1000mg of ER is a light dosage and the bottom of the therapeutic scale, and yours sounds like a medium-light dose, and I add light because of your body size. You should talk with your doctor because it doesn't even matter how much you take because you have to figure out if you hit the therapeutic window and where you have to fall in on it for symptom relief which is a bit of trial and error. Crazymeds.com has good information on depakote. The guy who writes that site believes that the pharm company has the dosage recommendations a little to high.
Good luck.
Posted by blueberry on July 19, 2006, at 19:20:47
In reply to Blood levels and Depakote, posted by bipolarspectrum on July 15, 2006, at 13:22:04
My doc said blood levels of depakote need to be in the 50 to 100 range (don't remember what the measuring units were). At 500mg extended release, my blood level was 29. I would have needed 1000mg to 1500mg to get into the proper range.
Different people metabolize depakote differently. Weight has something to do with it also. The only way to tell really is to go by how it feels or to draw blood.
This is the end of the thread.
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