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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Depression. Taking Epilim 600mg Developed Stiffness. Dosage Reduced. Is It Ok?

My mum has been suffering from depression for over 30 years. She is 74 years old, 80 lbs. For many years, she has been prescribed Epilim 600 mg, Seroxat 30mg, and Stilnox 10 mg every night. Her psychiatric doctors in the public hospital diagnosed her having bipolar symptoms and prescribed Largactil 100 mg and only when recently advised stopping it when she had developed stiffness and found that she had actually dementia . Epilim had been prescribed probably just because of the same misconception, i.e. that she was manic, which was actually due to dementia. She is tired and lying in bed all the day. Our private Geriatric doctor suggests that she withdraws Epilim gradually, reducing it to 300 mg, and then stopping it right away. Is it safe?
Mon, 17 Sep 2012
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hi,

Welcome to HealthcareMagic Public Forum

This is a very complex decision and should not be taken without her current psychiatrist advice. Epilim is a mood stabilizer and can be used in bipolar patient even when they do not have manic or depressive episode as its primary role is to prevent future episode in such cases.

Manic and depressive episode can occur in patient with dementia also. Apart from that drug dose change related decision will take, consideration of: whole psychiatric history, last illness episode, severity of episode and current medical condition of patient.

I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you.
Wish you Good Health.

Regards,
Dr. Ashish Mittal
www.99doctor.com
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Depression. Taking Epilim 600mg Developed Stiffness. Dosage Reduced. Is It Ok?

Hi, Welcome to HealthcareMagic Public Forum This is a very complex decision and should not be taken without her current psychiatrist advice. Epilim is a mood stabilizer and can be used in bipolar patient even when they do not have manic or depressive episode as its primary role is to prevent future episode in such cases. Manic and depressive episode can occur in patient with dementia also. Apart from that drug dose change related decision will take, consideration of: whole psychiatric history, last illness episode, severity of episode and current medical condition of patient. I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. Wish you Good Health. Regards, Dr. Ashish Mittal www.99doctor.com