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Is it safe to take depakote, and ritalin together for ADD,ADHD, and ODD?


My son, who is 7 years old, has been diagnosed with ADD,ADHD, and ODD. He was recently perscribed both Depakote, and Ritalin, I am curious as to the drug interaction,and side effects. Is it safe?

Multiple meds are often prescribed for for ADHD and ODD. If your son has ADHD you can drop the ADD, that's redundant. ADHD is attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and ADD is attention deficit without the hyperactivity element so he can't have both.

There are no interactions. Did you think his prescriber would write for both without checking first?

Ritalin (methlyphenidate):
Common adverse reactions - nervousness, insomnia, headache, palpitations, tachycardia, exfoliative dermatitis.
Less common adverse effects - tics, dizziness, pharyngitis, weight loss, cough, rash
Life-threatening adverse effects - seizure, arrhythmias, thrombocytopenia & pupura, leukopenia, erythema multiforme

Depakote (valproex sodium):
Common adverse effects - insomnia, nervousness, somnolence, tremor, headache, dizziness, diplopia, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, alopecia, flu symptoms.
Less common adverse effects - emotional upset, depression, pharyngitis, constipation, increased appetite, bruising, weight gain or loss, bronchitis, pruritis.
Life-threatening adverse effects - pancreatitis, hemorrhage, bone marrow suppression, hepatotoxicity, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hypersensitivity reactions, erythema multiforme.

Don't let the less common and life-threatening reactions frighten you. These are, well, less common and rare, respectively speaking.

If ever you have concerns about the medications that you or a family member have been prescribed, take it up with the prescribing physician. Source(s): I'm a nurse.
Ask your md that's prescribed them or call your local poison control office (the emergency room can give you that number). They have all drug interactions handy.
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