What Is Depakote?
Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a prescription anti-epileptic drug (AED) used to forestall seizures and migraines and deal with manic episodes in bipolar disorder in kids and adults. Taken by mouth, Depakote comes as a typical pill, an extended-release pill, a delayed-release pill, and a sprinkle capsule.
Depakote works by rising the quantity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within the mind. GABA is an amino acid and neurotransmitter that inhibits exercise within the mind. A neurotransmitter is a chemical that’s answerable for carrying info from one cell to a different.
Drug Details
- Generic Title: Divalproex sodium
- Model Title(s): Depakote, Depakote DR, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkles
- Administration Route(s): Oral
- Drug Availability: Prescription
- Therapeutic Classification: Anticonvulsant, antimigraine
- Obtainable Generically: Sure
- Managed Substance: N/A
- Lively Ingredient: Divalproex sodium
- Dosage Type(s): Pill, capsule
What Is Depakote Used For?
The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted Depakote for a number of makes use of. It’s among the many most prescribed AEDs for youngsters who’ve epilepsy. Depakote is used as monotherapy (the one AED) and as adjunctive remedy (with a number of different AEDs).
The FDA accepted Depakote for the next makes use of:
- Manic episodes of bipolar dysfunction
- Prevention of migraines
- Alone or with different AEDs to forestall advanced partial seizures (seizures that begin in a single space of the mind and trigger impaired consciousness) in adults and kids aged 10 years and older
- Alone or with different AEDs to forestall easy and sophisticated absence seizures (seizures that have an effect on the entire mind)
- Add-on remedy for the therapy of seizure issues with a number of seizure varieties that embrace absence seizures
The sprinkle formulation is simply accepted for seizure indications, not for migraine prevention or for mania.
The way to Take Depakote
Your healthcare supplier will prescribe Depakote to take both a few times a day. Take Depakote tablets entire; don’t chew or crush them.
Depakote sprinkle capsules might be swallowed entire or opened. If you happen to open the capsule, sprinkle its contents on gentle meals to devour.
Storage
This remedy must be saved in its authentic container and away from kids and pets.
Every formulation has its storage directions:
- Common and delayed-release: Retailer tablets at a temperature beneath 86 F.
- Prolonged-release: Retailer tablets at 77 F; it’s OK to retailer between 59 F to 86 F for a brief interval.
- Sprinkles: Retailer capsules beneath 77 F.
Off-Label Makes use of
Generally Depakote is prescribed for off-label makes use of. In these instances, a health care provider may prescribe Depakote for circumstances not specified on the prescribing label in the event that they deem it medically applicable.
Depakote is mostly prescribed off-label for:
The directions and dosing of Depakote can fluctuate when it’s prescribed for off-label makes use of.
How Lengthy Does Depakote Take to Work?
Depakote begins working inside an hour, relying on the formulation, dose, and different medicines you’re taking.
What Are the Aspect Results of Depakote?
This isn’t a whole checklist of unwanted side effects and others could happen. A medical skilled can advise you on unwanted side effects. If you happen to expertise different results, contact your pharmacist or a medical skilled. You could report unwanted side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Depakote is commonly effectively tolerated. Nevertheless, it may well trigger quite a lot of unwanted side effects that vary from gentle to extreme. Generally Depakote can even trigger well being problems which might be dangerous to the physique.
Widespread Aspect Results
The commonest unwanted side effects of Depakote are:
- Stomach ache
- Unintentional harm
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Blurred imaginative and prescient, double imaginative and prescient, nystagmus (jerking eyes)
- Amnesia (reminiscence loss)
- Anorexia (lack of urge for food), nausea, vomiting, weight reduction
- Weak point, lack of power, extreme sleepiness
- Dizziness, diminished steadiness and coordination
- Again ache
- Congestion, sore throat, bronchitis, flu, infections
- Constipation, diarrhea
- Melancholy, emotional instability
- Indigestion
- Shortness of breath
- Bruising
- Fever
- Headaches
- Insomnia (hassle sleeping)
- Nervousness, tremors
- Peripheral edema (swelling of the extremities)
- Rash
- Confusion
- Tinnitus (ringing within the ears)
- Weight acquire, elevated urge for food
The frequent unwanted side effects are normally gentle and tolerable, however they are often extreme and distressing for some individuals. It’s troublesome to understand how Depakote could have an effect on you. Discuss to your healthcare supplier about your unwanted side effects. They are able to allow you to handle a few of your unwanted side effects.
Extreme Aspect Results
Depakote could cause severe, typically deadly unwanted side effects. It’s essential to concentrate on these unwanted side effects and to speak to your healthcare supplier in the event you begin to expertise any of them.
Severe unwanted side effects of Depakote embrace:
- Liver harm: Hurt to the liver might be life-threatening, particularly in the course of the first six months of therapy or for youngsters below 2 years of age.
- Start deformities: When taken throughout being pregnant, the newborn can develop mind, backbone, or different vital malformations.
- Pancreatitis: Irritation of the pancreas might be life-threatening.
Lengthy-Time period Aspect Results
The unwanted side effects of Depakote can have long-term implications:
- Liver failure and pancreatitis because of Depakote could cause lasting organ harm.
- Fetal dangers could trigger lifelong well being points for the newborn. Depakote is used with excessive warning throughout being pregnant and provided that crucial.
Dosage: How A lot Depakote Ought to I Take?
Drug Content material Offered and Reviewed by IBM Micromedex
The dose of this drugs will likely be totally different for various sufferers. Comply with your physician’s orders or the instructions on the label. The next info consists of solely the typical doses of this drugs. In case your dose is totally different, don’t change it until your physician tells you to take action.
The quantity of medication that you simply take relies on the power of the medication. Additionally, the variety of doses you’re taking every day, the time allowed between doses, and the size of time you’re taking the medication rely on the medical downside for which you might be utilizing the medication.
For oral dosage varieties (delayed-release tablets or tablets):
For mania:
- Adults—At first, 750 milligrams (mg) as soon as a day, normally divided in smaller doses. Your physician could enhance your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 60 mg per kilogram (kg) of physique weight per day.
- Kids—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
For migraine:
- Adults—At first, 250 milligrams (mg) 2 occasions a day. Your physician could enhance your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 1000 mg per day.
- Kids—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
For seizures:
- Adults and kids 10 years of age or older—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. At first, the standard dose is 10 to fifteen milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight per day. Your physician could enhance your dose regularly each week by 5 to 10 mg per kg of physique weight if wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 60 mg per kg of physique weight per day. If the overall dose a day is bigger than 250 mg, it’s normally divided into smaller doses and brought 2 or extra occasions in the course of the day.
- Kids youthful than 10 years of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
For oral dosage type (extended-release tablets):
For mania:
- Adults—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. At first, the standard dose is 25 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight as soon as a day. Your physician could enhance your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 60 mg per kg of physique weight per day.
- Kids—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
For migraine:
- Adults—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) as soon as a day for 1 week. Your physician could enhance your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 1000 mg per day.
- Kids—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
For seizures:
- Adults and kids 10 years of age or older—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. At first, the standard dose is 10 to fifteen milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight per day. Your physician could enhance your dose regularly each week by 5 to 10 mg per kg of physique weight if wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 60 mg per kg of physique weight per day.
- Kids youthful than 10 years of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
For oral dosage type (sprinkle capsules):
For seizures:
- Adults and kids 10 years of age or older—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. At first, the standard dose is 10 to fifteen milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight a day. Your physician could enhance your dose regularly each week by 5 to 10 mg per kg of physique weight if wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 60 mg per kg of physique weight per day. If the overall dose a day is bigger than 250 mg, it’s normally divided into smaller doses and brought 2 or extra occasions in the course of the day.
- Kids youthful than 10 years of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
Modifications
Older adults ought to begin with a diminished dose, with slower dose will increase and extra fluid and dietary consumption monitoring. Moreover, in the event you expertise abdomen upset, you may profit from slowly build up your preliminary dose and/or taking Depakote with meals.
Missed Dose
If you happen to miss a dose, take the following one as quickly as attainable. Whether it is too near your subsequent scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Don’t double up on doses.
Overdose: What Occurs If I Take Too A lot Depakote?
If you happen to by chance or intentionally devour excessive quantities of Depakote, you possibly can expertise extreme and life-threatening results.
Results of Depakote overdose embrace:
Overdose signs, equivalent to hypernatremia and coronary heart block, might be medically managed. Naloxone could reverse among the results, however it might convey on a seizure, so it’s used with excessive warning in epilepsy. Moreover, hemodialysis could assist take away the drug from the physique.
What Occurs If I Overdose on Depakote?
If you happen to suppose you or another person could have overdosed on Depakote, name a healthcare supplier or the Poison Management Middle (1-800-222-1222).
If somebody collapses or is not respiration after taking Depakote, name 911 instantly.
Precautions
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It is rather essential that your physician test your or your kid’s progress intently while you’re utilizing this drugs to see whether it is working correctly and to permit for a change within the dose. Blood and urine checks could also be wanted to test for any negative effects.
Utilizing this drugs while you’re pregnant (particularly in the course of the first 3 months of being pregnant) can hurt your unborn child and trigger severe negative effects (eg, mind or facial issues, coronary heart or blood vessel issues, arm or leg issues, or intelligence or psychological issues). Use an efficient type of contraception to maintain from getting pregnant. If you happen to suppose you may have grow to be pregnant whereas utilizing the medication, inform your physician immediately.
It is rather essential to take folic acid earlier than getting pregnant and through early being pregnant to decrease probabilities of dangerous unwanted side effects to your unborn child. Ask your physician or pharmacist for assist if you’re unsure how to decide on a folic acid product.
Liver issues could happen while you’re utilizing this drugs, and a few could also be severe. Test along with your physician immediately if you’re having a couple of of those signs: stomach or abdomen ache or tenderness, clay-colored stools, darkish urine, decreased urge for food, fever, headache, itching, lack of urge for food, nausea and vomiting, pores and skin rash, swelling of the ft or decrease legs, uncommon tiredness or weak spot, or yellow eyes or pores and skin.
Pancreatitis could happen while you’re utilizing this drugs. Inform your physician immediately when you’ve got sudden and extreme abdomen ache, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.
Test along with your physician immediately if you’re having uncommon drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weak spot or emotions of sluggishness, modifications in psychological standing, low physique temperature, or vomiting. These could also be signs of a severe situation referred to as hyperammonemic encephalopathy.
Divalproex sodium could trigger some individuals to grow to be dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or much less alert than they’re usually. Don’t drive or do the rest that might be harmful till you understand how this drugs impacts you.
Don’t cease utilizing this drugs with out first checking along with your physician. Your physician might want you to regularly cut back the quantity you might be utilizing earlier than stopping utterly. This will assist stop worsening of seizures and cut back the potential for withdrawal signs.
Earlier than you may have any medical checks, inform the medical physician in cost that you’re utilizing this drugs. The outcomes of some checks could also be affected by this drugs.
Divalproex sodium could trigger severe allergic reactions affecting a number of physique organs (eg, liver or kidney). Test along with your physician immediately when you’ve got the next signs: a fever, darkish urine, headache, rash, abdomen ache, swollen lymph glands within the neck, armpit, or groin, uncommon tiredness, or yellow eyes or pores and skin.
Divalproex sodium could trigger some individuals to be agitated, irritable, or show different irregular behaviors. It might additionally trigger some individuals to have suicidal ideas and tendencies or to grow to be extra depressed. If you happen to discover any of those unwanted side effects, inform your physician immediately.
This drugs will add to the consequences of alcohol and different CNS depressants (medicines that trigger drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or drugs for hay fever, different allergic reactions, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping drugs, prescription ache drugs or narcotics, drugs for seizures (eg, barbiturates), muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, together with some dental anesthetics. Test along with your physician earlier than taking any of the above while you’re utilizing this drugs.
If you happen to plan to have kids, speak along with your physician earlier than utilizing this drugs. Some males receiving this drugs have grow to be infertile (unable to have kids).
Don’t take different medicines until they’ve been mentioned along with your physician. This consists of prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and natural or vitamin dietary supplements.
What Are Causes I Shouldn’t Take Depakote?
You shouldn’t take Depakote when you’ve got:
- Liver illness or dysfunction
- A POLG-related mitochondrial dysfunction
- Recognized allergy to the drug
- Urea cycle disorders (genetic issues that may trigger severe neurological signs)
You also needs to not take Depakote if you’re pregnant or planning to grow to be pregnant.
What Different Medicines Work together With Depakote?
Many medicines work together with Depakote. Nevertheless, there aren’t any absolute contraindicated medicines that may’t be taken with Depakote. If wanted, your healthcare supplier will make dosing changes when you find yourself taking Depakote together with a drug that it interacts with.
Interactions embrace:
- Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin: Can cut back Depakote ranges
- Felbamate: Can enhance Depakote ranges
- Topiramate: Used collectively, could cause elevated ammonia ranges and encephalopathy
Another medicines that may work together with Depakote embrace:
What Medicines Are Related?
Depakote is among the many extra versatile AEDs as a result of it may be prescribed for a number of sorts of seizures. Nevertheless, there are different accessible seizure therapies as effectively.
Different medicines used to deal with seizures which might be just like Depakote embrace:
Depacon is used to deal with advanced partial seizures and absence seizures. It’s accessible in an intravenous (IV) formulation for sufferers who’re unable to handle oral medicines.
Lamictal is indicated for the add-on therapy of epilepsy in kids aged 2 and older, therapy of epilepsy in individuals 16 years and older, and therapy of bipolar dysfunction in adults.
Tegretol can also be used for a number of seizure varieties, particularly focal (partial) seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
How Can I Keep Wholesome Whereas Taking Depakote?
Depakote can management your medical situation, considerably enhancing your high quality of life. Nevertheless, it may well trigger unwanted side effects that might be insupportable or could cause severe hurt to your well being. If you’re taking Depakote, you need to handle the situation you might be being handled for and attempt to keep away from issues from taking Depakote.
Keep wholesome whereas taking Depakote by:
- Taking Depakote as directed
- Avoiding seizure triggers, equivalent to sleep deprivation, alcohol, medication, and flashing lights
- Sustaining psychotherapy when you’ve got bipolar dysfunction
- Avoiding stress if attainable
Inform your healthcare supplier in the event you:
- Begin taking any new medicines, dietary supplements, or natural remedies
- Start to expertise unwanted side effects
- Suppose Depakote is not working for you
Medical Disclaimer
Verywell Well being’s drug info is supposed for training functions solely and never meant as a alternative for medical recommendation, analysis, or therapy from a healthcare skilled. Seek the advice of your physician earlier than taking any new remedy(s). IBM Watson Micromedex offers among the drug content material, as indicated on the web page.
