Depakote Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Divalproex sodium

Depakote affects chemicals in the body that may cause seizures. Valproic acid is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of seizures. Valproic acid is also used to treat mania in people with bipolar disorder. It is also used to prevent migraine headaches, but not to relieve headaches that have already begun. Valproic acid is in a class of medications known as anticonvulsants. It works by increasing the amount of a certain natural substance in the brain.

Depakote Dosage

• The usual starting dose for those aged 18 and over is 750 milligrams a day, divided into smaller doses.
• The usual starting dose for those aged 16 and over is 250 milligrams twice a day. Your doctor will adjust the dose, up to a maximum of 1,000 milligrams a day.

Uses of Depakote

• Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Depakote is sometimes used together with other seizure medications.
• Depakote may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Depakote

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Depakote. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• abnormal thinking
• breathing difficulty
• bronchitis
• bruising
• constipation
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• emotional changeability
• fever
• flu symptoms
• hair loss
• headache
• incoordination
• indigestion
• infection
• insomnia
• loss of appetite
• weight loss or gain

Warnings and precautions before taking Depakote:

• Do not abruptly stop taking this medicine without talking with your doctor. A gradual reduction in dosage is usually required.
• Depakote causes some people to become drowsy or less alert. So you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness.
• If you have or have ever had a urea cycle disorder, then you should tell your doctor. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take valproic acid.
• You should tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Depakote, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Depakote medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Depakote with the following:

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
  
• Blood thinners such as Coumadin
  
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
  
• Notriptyline (Pamelor)
  
• Oral contraceptives
  
• Rifampin (Rifater)
  
• Sleep aids such as Halcion
  
• Tolbutamide (Orinase)
  
• Zidovudine (Retrovir)

Overdose

When you are taking Depakote, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Depakote overdose may include:-

• Coma
• extreme sleepiness
• heart problems
• shallow breathing
• weak pulse
• loss of consciousness