What Are Signs Of Depakote Toxicity?

Call your doctor at once if the person taking this medicine has signs of liver or pancreas problems, such as:

loss of appetite, upper stomach pain

(that may spread to your back), ongoing nausea or vomiting, dark urine, swelling in the face, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

What happens when you overdose on Depakote?

An overdose of

Depakote could be fatal

, so seek immediate help or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 if you overdose. Overdose symptoms can include irregular heartbeat, sleepiness, and loss of consciousness resulting in a coma.

Do Depakote levels need to be monitored?

Monitor Depakote levels, liver function tests, and CBC with diff

every 3-6 months

. Monitor for development of polycystic ovary disease in females. Based on: Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder.

What level of valproic acid is toxic?

The therapeutic range for valproic acid is 50-100 mcg/mL. The toxic level is

>100 mcg/mL

.

What happens when Depakote levels are too high?

Unusual weight gain or loss

.

Tremors

.

Blurred or double vision

, uncontrolled eye movements. Mood swings.

Is 1000 mg of Depakote a lot?

The recommended starting dose of Depakote for the prevention of migraine is 250 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased until migraine control is achieved. The

maximum recommended dose is 1000 mg/day as needed

.

Does Depakote make you feel weird?

A: Common side effects experienced with Depakote include

drowsiness, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting

, low platelet count, tremors, tiredness, and hair loss. The side effects may be mild to moderate, but they may also be signs of a more serious condition.

What is the maximum amount of Depakote you can take?

How long does Depakote DR stay in your system?

The highest level of medicine in the blood is reached in

7 to 14 hours

after Depakote ER is taken.

How much weight do you gain on Depakote?

Depakote is used to treat bipolar disorder and seizures, and prevent migraines. A 2007 study of epilepsy patients found that

44 percent of women and 24 percent of men gained 11 pounds or more

while taking Depakote for about a year.

How do you feel on Depakote?

1. Nausea or vomiting.
2. Headache.
3. Drowsiness or dizziness.
4. Tremor.
5. Muscle weakness.
6. Insomnia.
7. Hair loss.
8. Weight gain.

How is Depakote monitored?

Patients should be monitored closely for appearance of these symptoms.

Serum liver tests

should be performed prior to therapy and at frequent intervals thereafter, especially during the first six months [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

How are Depakote levels checked?

Depakote levels are routinely checked with blood tests to make sure

you have neither too little nor too much in your system

. Too little will render it ineffective while too much may be toxic.

What is the antidote for valproic acid?

Meropenem

as an antidote for intentional valproic acid overdose.

How is valproic acid toxicity treated?

1. Management of airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)
2. Oxygenation.
3. Administration of intravenous (IV) fluids.
4. Monitoring.

What are the adverse effects of valproic acid?

• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• headaches, or feeling dizzy.
• muscle weakness.
• breathing problems.
• feeling confused, or changes to your normal behaviour.
• passing out.