Question abt Valproic Acid & Pregabalin/Gabapentin

[TheTwighlight]

Are Valproic Acid and Pregabalin/Gabapentin AT ALL similar in action? I've been on Depakote for 3 weeks and I am CHILL, in a similar way to Lyrica/Neurontin.

 

[ziddy]

Not really. There was recently a large thread about the efficacy of valproic acid for stimulant-induced anxiety. Although about 70% of it was a flame war, there's still some useful info: http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?p=9017181

Also, what's your dosing regimen like? Regular blood tests for alanine aminotransferase and other liver enzymes are highly recommended due to the inherent potential for hepatotoxicity this compound has.

 

[Solipsis]

Hey look it's a butyric acid Siamese twin.

Complex action though, more so than I thought.

edit: oops C5 that makes this post even more worthless than it already was.

Is valproic acid GABAergic-like in action? I find it odd that clonazepam is contraindicated but
it's not mentioned all benzo's are...

 

[TheTwighlight]

yes its GABAergic. also, it's like butyric acid? i'm already on barbiturates.

 

[seep]

the benzodiazepine contraindications are for kinetic reasons

it's like butyric acid?

it's not. that's what he meant by the oops

btw something I don't see mentioned in these valproic acid discussions is that it's 80-90% plasma protein bound. Any other protein-bound drug is going to be potentiated.

 

[StaySedated]

i know valeric acid, the main compound in valerian which valproic acid is derived has similarites to both pregabalin and GABA.

 

[MagickalKat777]

Valerenic acid is much more pharmacologically interesting than valeric acid, which is missing a 3 carbon chain I believe which would make it valproic acid.

Valerenic acid feels quite like valium. It is much more GABAergic than valeric acid.

 

[StaySedated]

Valerenic acid is much more pharmacologically interesting than valeric acid, which is missing a 3 carbon chain I believe which would make it valproic acid.

Valerenic acid feels quite like valium. It is much more GABAergic than valeric acid.

i believe valerenic acid is in valerian as well.

valerian is actually a good potentiator of benzos, as some of the compounds in it modulate GABA-a(like a benzo but weaker), increase the amount of GABA in the synapses, inhibit the reuptake of GABA, and stop certain chemicals in the brain that destroy GABA.

all of these mechanisms that increase GABA activity in the brain synergises/potentiates benzos to a notable extent. but its not as good as simply taking more benzos or drinking alcohol.

 

[MagickalKat777]

StaySedated - I know that valerenic acid is present in valerian as well.

And I can tell you that you are flat out wrong about valerenic acid not being as good as benzos or alcohol - you have to take enough for it to make a difference but a large dose of valerenic acid will feel like valium and lasts about as long as clonazepam. It isn't called nature's valium for nothing.

 

[Solipsis]

Do you have any idea though if it's the valer(en)ic acid in valerian or other components that physically make you so freaking tired? I would call that a downside with the emphasis on down.

 

[seep]

Do you have any idea though if it's the valer(en)ic acid in valerian or other components that physically make you so freaking tired? I would call that a downside with the emphasis on down.

I though it was isovaleramide:

(I'm asking here)

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OP, can you list your entire regimen (all the medicines and chemicals you take, along with doses and frequency)? I'm skeptical about valproic acid producing a consistent buzz that is on a par with gabapentin or pregabalin when they are at there best.

There is also some contention as to whether or not valproic acid's inhibition of ABAT (4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase) contributes to it's purported anxiolytic benefits.

I've taken over a kilo of the stuff and I've never noticed the effects you describe. Nor have I met anyone that has. Nor is valproic acid known as a recreational substance, even though it's been widely prescribed for like 2 decades.


.

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I just realized that gabapentin is an inducer of Branched-chain-amino-acid aminotransferase (BCAT1); I did not know that.

 

[paranoid android]

Is valproic acid GABAergic-like in action? I find it odd that clonazepam is contraindicated but
it's not mentioned all benzo's are...

Ive been on clonazepam while taking divalproex and noone ever warned me about any potential interactions. I know other people that have been on both as well and it seems to be a pretty common combo here actually. I never noticed any side effects from the combo of the 2 but then again i was not on a very high dose of divalproex.

 

[MagickalKat777]

Do you have any idea though if it's the valer(en)ic acid in valerian or other components that physically make you so freaking tired? I would call that a downside with the emphasis on down.

It doesn't make me any more tired than Valium does. Admittedly though, Valium makes me way more tired than Klonopin did.