18th February 2008
According to my trusty Havard's Nursing Guide to Drugs 7th Ed,
Depakote - is used to treat seizure disorders, certain psychiatric conditions and to prevent migraine headaches. It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.
Side Effects: Diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness, hair loss, blurred/double vision, change in menstrual periods, ringing in the ears, shakiness (tremor), unsteadiness, and weight changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Seroquel - is used with or without other medications to treat certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). It’s official name is Quetiapine which is known as an anti-psychotic drug. It also works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain.
This medication can decrease hallucinations and improve concentration. It helps the patient to think more clearly and positively about themselves. They may feel less nervous, and take a more active part in everyday life. Quetiapine can help prevent severe mood swings or decrease how often mood swings occur.
Side Effects: Constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, stomach pain/upset, tiredness, weight gain, nasal congestion, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Check with the doctor if Dad has any of the following conditions:
Abnormal Movements of Face Muscles and Tongue, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Tobacco Smoking, Epileptic Seizure, Cataracts, Metabolic Syndrome X, Dementia in an Elderly Person, Heart Attack, Disease of Inadequate Blood Flow to the Heart Muscle, Abnormal Heart Rhythm, Chronic Heart Failure, Any Disorder of the Blood Vessels of the Brain, Blood Pressure Drop Upon Standing, Abnormally Low Blood Pressure, Liver Problems, High Blood Sugar, Decreased Blood Volume, Underactive Thyroid, Diabetes, High Amount of Fats in the Blood, Extreme Loss of Body Water, Overweight, Having Thoughts of Suicide as seroquel may not be suited to the patient.
Ativan - is used to treat serious seizures that do not stop. It is also used before surgeries or procedures to cause drowsiness, decrease anxiety, and cause forgetfulness about the procedure or surgery.
Lorazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves (central nervous system). It is thought to work by increasing the effect of a certain natural chemical (GABA) in the brain.
Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, or unsteadiness may occur. If this medication is injected into a muscle, pain/burning/redness at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
This drug should not be used with sodium oxybate because very serious interactions may occur (check with the doctor)
So, all in all, your best bet is, armed with this information, go to the doctor and get him to explain his reasoning.
Depakote - is used to treat seizure disorders, certain psychiatric conditions and to prevent migraine headaches. It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.
Side Effects: Diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness, hair loss, blurred/double vision, change in menstrual periods, ringing in the ears, shakiness (tremor), unsteadiness, and weight changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Seroquel - is used with or without other medications to treat certain mental/mood conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). It’s official name is Quetiapine which is known as an anti-psychotic drug. It also works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain.
This medication can decrease hallucinations and improve concentration. It helps the patient to think more clearly and positively about themselves. They may feel less nervous, and take a more active part in everyday life. Quetiapine can help prevent severe mood swings or decrease how often mood swings occur.
Side Effects: Constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, stomach pain/upset, tiredness, weight gain, nasal congestion, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Check with the doctor if Dad has any of the following conditions:
Abnormal Movements of Face Muscles and Tongue, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Tobacco Smoking, Epileptic Seizure, Cataracts, Metabolic Syndrome X, Dementia in an Elderly Person, Heart Attack, Disease of Inadequate Blood Flow to the Heart Muscle, Abnormal Heart Rhythm, Chronic Heart Failure, Any Disorder of the Blood Vessels of the Brain, Blood Pressure Drop Upon Standing, Abnormally Low Blood Pressure, Liver Problems, High Blood Sugar, Decreased Blood Volume, Underactive Thyroid, Diabetes, High Amount of Fats in the Blood, Extreme Loss of Body Water, Overweight, Having Thoughts of Suicide as seroquel may not be suited to the patient.
Ativan - is used to treat serious seizures that do not stop. It is also used before surgeries or procedures to cause drowsiness, decrease anxiety, and cause forgetfulness about the procedure or surgery.
Lorazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves (central nervous system). It is thought to work by increasing the effect of a certain natural chemical (GABA) in the brain.
Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, or unsteadiness may occur. If this medication is injected into a muscle, pain/burning/redness at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
This drug should not be used with sodium oxybate because very serious interactions may occur (check with the doctor)
So, all in all, your best bet is, armed with this information, go to the doctor and get him to explain his reasoning.