Has anyone had an itchy skin and/or hive reaction with this med? If so, did it go away on its own? The dr. had me stop taking it, I was at the itching stage but feeling like hives might come on around my neck and upper chest. I'm sad about this as it was really helping, even at only 75 mg. Are there any similar meds used as more mild mood stabilizers that anyone could suggest? Something not too costly and available in the U.S. as I don't have insurance currently
Itchy skin reaction with Trileptal (for bipolar)? Any similar meds recommended?
- Posted:
- 5 Feb 2012 by filigree88
- Topics:
- trileptal, hives, bipolar disorder, pruritus, itchy skin, skin
Details:
Responses (3)
clm19705 Feb 2012
Hello, probably definitely allergic to Trileptal and any/or other Tegretol derivative such as: Equerto, Carbatrol, Tegretol XR, Tegretol, etc. The bumps and hives that you described around your neck and throat are a very alarming sign and you should go to the Emergency Department before more aggressive manifestations of this potential reaction occur, and put you at higher risk. Then after you have this situation looked after and received the necessary assistance, you can talk with your primary provider about alternatives. Several options which you may want to discuss with your provider are: Depakote ER (FYI the 'ER' version of Depakote is extremely expensive, circa 569.00/month! But, the older but just as efficacious version of Depakote is Depakote EC which runs about 27.50/month, The only difference between the ER and EC, with the ER you only have to dose one time daily; however, with the EC you may have to dose two to three times daily.
Mary6320095 Feb 2012
Yes, you have received a very good answer, & I personally do not have bipolar, but my husband does. He was started on Paxil, which did give him quite a bit of relief, & seemed he was a changed person, but after about a year or so, he was getting manic again, & his doctor changed him to zoloft, which has a generic called sertraline HCL 100mg 2 a day. This worked wonders for about 7 close to eight years & his (he also has OCD, the cleaning kind) he started on a little downward spiral, but not bad, but his doctor added 75mg of Wellbutrin once a day just recently & it has done the trick. He also has extreme psorasis, so I can understand totally your skin problems. His has been to the point he is now on weekly shots of Enbrel, but if you have no insurance this would probably not be an option for your psorasis as it costs $1200.00 a month for 4 shots. I am sure you are using the creams, & tar shampoos etc.. which is also good therapy for some.I wish you the best... Mary632009
6 Feb 2012
Hi filigree - The type of meds. you would take definitely depend on whether you've been diagnosed with bipolar 1 or 11 (one or two). I'm not sure why many people don't stipulate the difference in their diagnosis because there really is quite a difference in their symptoms, severities, manifestations, treatment courses & medications indicated. Trileptal, for me, has been a life saver in conjunction with a low dose of Seroquel. I'm bipolar 1. There are so many meds and so many combos. that it really depends on each person's own trial and error. Good luck! Jillian
Mary632009
6 Feb 2012
Hey, Jillian, I don't know the difference, could you explain it to me? Thanks, Mary
cetteferge
7 Feb 2012
Hi Mary -
Sure. This is very basic, but typically, Bipolar 1 will always need treatment with meds & some sort of psychotherapy to remain successfully stable and avoid hospitalizations. It is more severe in symtoms than BP 2. However, BP 1 is not usually treated with anti-depressants due to the fact that there's been a minimum of one full manic episode (mind snap, I call it!), and high susceptibility to another, if anti-deps. are taken. The "1's" are usually treated with a combo. of anti-psychotic and mood stabilizer or anti-seizure meds. for the severe abnormally elevated mood and behavior described above. Manic symptoms can lead to serious life disruptions (massive spending, risky behavior, addictions, psychosis, etc.).
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Thanks so much for the info! I didn't develop hives, thankfully, just felt the start of them (the prickly feeling) and stopped taking it per my doc. I was just itching, mainly. Still am a little but it seems to be going away over time. Like I said I took 75 mg/day and it was only for one week. I also have psoriasis and have had a similar eczema reaction in the past to a stressful event, so skin issues are fairly common for me.
I've taken Depakote and the weight gain was an issue then, although maybe a lower dose will work. Lamictal I know can cause skin issues, my doc didn't want to give me it for that reason. I will look into the Gabapentin, I do have anxiety as well. Thanks again. :)
Oh, and it has been four days since I stopped taking it.