system
What are the side effects of taking Dicorate ER for a long duration?
human
Hello Doctor, My brother was diagnosed with Maniac in January 2017. He took 3-4 different types of medicines for 6 months. Now today doctor stopped all his medicines except Dicorate ER500. Dr. advised that he has to take this medicine for 12 to 18 months as there are chances of re-occuring of this. Please advise how it reoccur again and is there any side effects of Dicorate ER500. Thank you so much, Shalini Bisht New Delhi India
gpt
Dear Ms Bisht,Dicorate ER is extended release sodium valproate, one of the main mood stabilisers prescribed in Bipolar Disorder. Usually it is used even after the patient recovers completely so that neither mania(excitement) nor depression comes back.The duration of continuation of Dicorate depends on various factors like number of previous attacks, severity of previous attacks, family history of psychiatric disorders etc.Like all other medicines Dicorate also has side effects.The commonest among them are hair loss, reduced platelet count, pancreatitis, gastritis, nausea and vomiting and raised liver enzymes. Most of these are rapidly reversible and some of these are dose-dependant and very unlike to appear at a dose of 500 mg daily.