Navigation

Depakote vs. Lithobid

Are Depakote and Lithobid the Same Thing?

Depakote (divalproex sodium) and Lithobid (lithium carbonate) are used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Depakote is also used to treat epilepsy and migraine headaches.

Lithobid is also indicated as a maintenance treatment for individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Depakote and Lithobid belong to different drug classes. Depakote is an anticonvulsant and Lithobid is an alkali-metal.

Side effects of Depakote and Lithobid that are similar include drowsiness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tremor (shaking).

Side effects of Depakote that are different from Lithobid include stomach upset, constipation, mood swings, changes in menstrual periods, enlarged breasts, weight changes, agitation, vision changes, unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth, and hair loss.

Side effects of Lithobid that are different from Depakote include increased dilute urination, mild thirst, and lack of coordination.

Depakote may interact with other anticonvulsants, phenobarbital, aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics, rifampin, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, tolbutamide, warfarin, or HIV/AIDS medications.

Lithobid may interact with diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, acetazolamide, urea, xanthine preparations, alkalinizing agents such as sodium bicarbonate, iodide preparations, calcium channel blockers, metronidazole, fluoxetine, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Depakote?

Common side effects of Depakote include:

  • drowsiness,
  • weakness,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • stomach upset,
  • diarrhea,
  • constipation,
  • mood swings,
  • changes in menstrual periods,
  • enlarged breasts,
  • weight changes,
  • agitation,
  • tremor (shaking),
  • vision changes,
  • unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth, and
  • hair loss.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including Depakote, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lithobid?

Common side effects of Lithobid include:

  • hand tremor
  • increased dilute urination
  • mild thirst
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • drowsiness
  • muscular weakness, and
  • lack of coordination

What Is Depakote?

Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a stable coordination compound comprised of sodium valproate and valproic acid used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraine headaches. Generic Depakote (termed divalproex sodium) is available under several other names.

What Is Lithobid?

Lithobid (lithium carbonate) Extended-Release is an alkali-metal indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder, Manic (DSM-IV) is equivalent to Manic Depressive illness, Manic, in the older DSM-II terminology. Lithobid is also indicated as a maintenance treatment for individuals with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Maintenance therapy reduces the frequency of manic episodes and diminishes the intensity of those episodes which may occur.

What Drugs Interact With Depakote?

Depakote may interact with ritonavir, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics, felbamate, rifampin, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, carbamazepine, clonazepam, diazepam, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, tolbutamide, warfarin, zidovudine, lorazepam, and topiramate.

What Drugs Interact With Lithobid?

Lithobid may interact with diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, acetazolamide, urea, xanthine preparations, alkalinizing agents such as sodium bicarbonate, iodide preparations, calcium channel blockers, metronidazole, fluoxetine, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Lithobid is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. Lithobid passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding while using Lithobid is not recommended.

How Should Depakote Be Taken?

The recommended initial dose of Depakote to treat mania is 750 mg daily in divided doses. The dose of Depakote to treat epilepsy as monotherapy should be initiated at 10 to 15 mg/kg/day. The recommended starting dose of Depakote to treat migraines is 250 mg twice daily.

How Should Lithobid Be Taken?

Optimal patient response can usually be established with 1800 mg/day Lithobid, taken as 3 tablets in the morning, and 3 tablets in the evening.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.