Coming off Carbamazepine, switching to Valproic Acid... help please.

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Histamine

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Hey, I'm coming off Carbamazepine after being on it for 4 years. I liked VPA better when I was on it prior.

I only take 600 mg CBZ once at night because I only get seizure's in my sleep. Would VPA likely be taken at an equivalent dose for the switch? Or are they completely different.

Also, there's a general rule for weaning off CBZ for seizures and going on VPA I would suspect... does anyone have experience with this or know how it's usually done? Like how much is CBZ lowered and how often, and how the change to VPA is done. I read that VPA increases CBZ levels, so I'm not sure it should be taken at the same time to wean off, or if you completely come off CBZ then go on VPA.

I'm grateful my seizures are at least only in my sleep, so my life isn't in danger if I do get seizures from this.
 
Hi Histamine,
Welcome to CWE.

You may just only have night seizures at the moment but the pattern of our seizures can change, in my opinion it is safer to slowly reduce the Carbamezepine while you increase the Valporic Acid to reduce the risk of having seizures.

Has your neurologist given you instructions on how you should take the Carbamezepine & Valporic Acid?If you are unsure it might be a good idea that you also speak to your neurologist & ask them what they want you to do.

I have been on 5 Anti Epilepsy Meds, I have never been on Valporic Acid but I was on Tegretol (the brand name of Carbamazepine) from May 2002 - April this year. From my experience when my neurologists have altered my meds they have done it slowly. When I have changed meds I would slowly taper of the med I was coming of while slowly increasing the new med.

Good luck with the med change
 
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I'm surprised your neurologist hasn't given you instructions, or at least his/her nurse. It may be important to talk to the doctor/nurse as every patient is different, and sometimes the general tapering on and tapering off instructions don't work for every individual. For example in my case for the medications I'm on, for every increase I have to taper on at about 1/2 the rate the generalized instructions indicate one should or else the side effects are overwhelming.
 
i was on carbamazepine for about two years and had no luck with it. i was taking 1600mg a day so it took about eight weeks to come off it. while doing this i was slowly starting to take lamotrigine. i have now been about eight weeks seizure free
 
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