What is depakote used for

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This application is not a substitute for seizure safety. Please talk to your doctor for more information on seizure first aid. The Track It! AbbVie is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply the endorsement of the linked site by AbbVie.

Health insurance that you or a family member obtained through an employer or purchased privately. The DEPAKOTE Savings Card is not available to individuals who are paying cash for their prescription or who are receiving prescription reimbursement under a state or federally funded insurance program. This rebate form is not available to individuals who are paying cash for their prescription or who are receiving prescription reimbursement under a state or federally funded insurance program.

Important Safety Information Prescribing Information. Home About Depakote. About Depakote. Tablets and capsule shown are not actual size. USES Depakote Delayed-Release Tablets, Depakote ER, and Depakote Sprinkle Capsules are used alone or with other medicines to treat: complex partial seizures in adults and children 10 years of age and older simple and complex absence seizures, with or without other seizure types Depakote Delayed-Release Tablets and Depakote ER are used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

The risk of getting this serious liver damage is more likely to happen within the first 6 months of treatment. Taking Depakote during pregnancy for any medical condition puts your baby at risk for serious birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord and are called spina bifida or neural tube defects.

Other birth defects can affect the structures of the heart, head, arms, legs, and penis and can lower IQ. All women of child-bearing age should talk to their healthcare provider about using other possible treatments instead of Depakote. Use a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication.

You may also ask a family member or a friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication. If you miss a dose of valproate, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking valproate.

They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at Studies have found that individuals who take antiepileptic medications including valproate have suicidal thoughts or behaviors up to twice as often than individuals who take placebo inactive medication. These thoughts or behaviors occurred in approximately 1 in patients taking the antiepileptic class of medications.

If you experience any thoughts or impulses to hurt yourself, you should contact your doctor immediately. To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of valproate. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. It is important to note that some of the side effects listed above particularly changes in platelets, liver or pancreas problems, and suicidal thoughts may continue to occur or worsen if you continue taking the medication.

It is important to follow up with your doctor for blood work and to contact your doctor immediately if you notice abdominal pain, sudden nausea or vomiting, or changes in mood or behavior. If this happens, you may get confused, disoriented, or have difficulty thinking.

It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking valproate.

It will probably take several weeks to see big enough changes in your symptoms to decide if valproate is the right medication for you. Mood stabilizer treatment is generally needed lifelong for persons with bipolar disorder. Your doctor can best discuss the duration of treatment you need based on your symptoms and illness.

Serious and fatal liver damage has been associated with valproate, particularly during the first six months of treatment. Patients with mitochondrial disease caused by a certain DNA mutation are at an increased risk of acute liver failure and resultant death. Life threatening pancreatitis has been reported in children and adults who take valproate. Signs of pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and inability to keep food down.

Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.

Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Health Tools. Depakote Divalproex Sodium. Generic Name: Divalproex sodium.

Reviewed: January 18, This medicine comes in different formulations, which are designed for specific uses. The U. You should not use divalproex sodium if you are allergic to it, or if you have: liver disease; a urea cycle disorder; or a genetic mitochondrial MYE-toe-KON-dree-al disorder such as Alpers' disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome, especially in a child younger than 2 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver problems caused by a genetic mitochondrial disorder; depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions; or a family history of a urea cycle disorder or infant deaths with unknown cause.

Side Effects. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other side effects: easy bruising, unusual bleeding nose, mouth, or gums , purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; fever, swollen glands, mouth sores; confusion, tiredness, cold feeling, vomiting, change in your mental state; severe drowsiness; or worsening seizures.

Common side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation; headache, back pain; dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tremors; memory problems, mood changes, trouble sleeping; bruising or bleeding; runny nose, sore throat, cough, wheezing, trouble breathing; fever, flu symptoms; problems with walking or coordination; swelling in your hands or feet; blurred vision, double vision, unusual eye movements; ringing in your ears; rash, hair loss; or changes in weight or appetite.

Drinking alcohol may increase certain side effects of divalproex sodium. Swallow the capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using divalproex sodium.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on: Depakote Divalproex Sodium , call your doctor or the Poison Control center. If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking Depakote Divalproex Sodium , call What to Expect It may take several weeks of using divalproex sodium before you notice your symptoms improve.

Additional Dosage Information Your dosage of divalproex sodium will depend on your medical condition, your age, the formulation you use, your response to treatment, and other factors. See More. Medical Disclaimer Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. The information within all other sections is proprietary to Everyday Health. Read more.