David Evans wrote:-
Where does that leave valproate? Semisodium valproate (Depakote) is
licensed as a mood stabiliser, sodium valproate as an anticonvulsant.
Is there any justification for the distinction?
Yes - most definitely. As someone who is currently taking depakote I would
not want to be swapped onto sodium vaproate which is a completely different
drug.
Depakote is licensed for treating bipolar disorder. Sodium valproate isn't.
My psychiatrist told me of one of his patients whose GP did just that - i.e.
swapped him from valproic acid (as semisodium valproate) [Depakote], to
ordinary sodium valproate and he relapsed within weeks having been
previously stable for years.
Margaret
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