My doctor has prescribed all these meds and I been trying to do some research but always come up with scary results and I already have anxiety. I was taking Lexapro and Klonopin at first and Depakote and buspirone was added on because the other two were helping some but not as effective. Does anyone else take this combo? How are you doing on it?
Is there any interactions between Depakote, Lexapro, buspirone, and Klonopin?
Question posted by Monacat on 26 Nov 2023
Last updated on 27 November 2023
Answers
There is 1 major interaction and 5 moderate interactions meaning:
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Food interactions and therapeutic duplications.
Major
busPIRone escitalopram
Applies to: buspirone, Lexapro (escitalopram)
Using busPIRone together with escitalopram can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
busPIRone clonazePAM
Applies to: buspirone, Klonopin (clonazepam)
Using busPIRone together with clonazePAM may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate
busPIRone divalproex sodium sodium
Applies to: buspirone, Depakote (divalproex sodium sodium)
Using busPIRone together with divalproex sodium sodium may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate
clonazePAM divalproex sodium sodium
Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Depakote (divalproex sodium sodium)
Before taking clonazePAM, tell your doctor if you also use divalproex sodium sodium. You may need dose adjustments or special tests in order to safely take both medications together. This combination may affect seizure control and cause drowsiness. You should avoid driving until you know how these medications will affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate
clonazePAM escitalopram
Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Lexapro (escitalopram)
Using clonazePAM together with escitalopram may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate
divalproex sodium sodium escitalopram
Applies to: Depakote (divalproex sodium sodium), Lexapro (escitalopram)
Treatment with escitalopram may occasionally cause blood sodium levels to get too low, a condition known as hyponatremia, and using it with some anticonvulsants can increase that risk. In addition, escitalopram can cause seizures in susceptible patients, which may reduce the effectiveness of medications that are used to control seizures such as divalproex sodium sodium. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. You should seek medical attention if you experience nausea, vomiting, headache, lethargy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, muscle spasm, weakness or unsteadiness, as these may be symptoms of hyponatremia. More severe cases may lead to hallucination, fainting, seizure, coma, and even death. Also let your doctor know if you develop seizures or experience an increase in seizures during treatment with escitalopram. Additionally, because these medications may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and impairment in judgment, reaction speed and motor coordination, you should avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how they affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Source and more info:
https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=441-0,918-484,703-357,1013-565
Most likely your Dr. is aware of these potential interactions and therapeutic duplications and has outweighed that the benefits are greater than the potential risks and would not put you in harms way.
If you feel uneasy with these potential interactions and duplications do contact your Dr. and further discuss this interaction report more in depth with your Dr..
It seems like a lot of potential interactions, I'm going to mention it to my Dr. when I go back. I don't have insurance or money for a visit so I'm having to wait.
Indeed, so be careful.
Hi, Monacat!
Here's the Interaction Report:
https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=441-206,918-484,703-357,1013-565
There are some interactions mostly potentially causing dizziness and drowsiness.
One important one is the very slight risk of a condition called serotonin syndrome:
https://www.drugs.com/cg/serotonin-syndrome.html
Keep in mind that if one doctor prescribed these medications to be taken together that they're very likely aware of these interactions and has determined that the benefit to you outweighs the risks.
If you have more questions or concerns you can take this information to your doctor.
Hi, I did not see your answer otherwise I would not have answered this post.
Thank you I will be checking with my Dr. as soon as I go back.
Related topics
depakote, klonopin, lexapro, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, buspirone, major depressive disorder, interaction, prescription, research
Further information
- Depakote uses and warnings
- Klonopin uses and warnings
- Lexapro uses and warnings
- Buspirone uses and warnings
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