I think it has a lot to do with dosage and also just how you process meds. My pdoc is hoping that 200 mgs will do it for me, keeping my additional meds as is (not sure about lithium) to help do what they do. She doesn't expect a lot of sedation. My AD is very stimulating so that will affect how sedated I am probably though. She told me has someone else on 800 mg who isn't sedated during the day by it although that person also takes another med that can be activating.

It sounds like if you have someone willing to work with you on avoiding side effects they sometimes can be reduced.