What Is Depakote? Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a stable coordination compound comprised of sodium valproate and valproic acid used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraine headaches. Generic Depakote (termed divalproex sodium) is available under several other names.
Is valproic acid and Depakote the same medication?
A closely related medication
, Depakene (valproic acid), comes in capsule and liquid form. Another variety of valproic acid, Stavzor, is no longer manufactured. In 2008, the FDA approved the first generic version of Depakote. Collectively, these medications are known as valproate products.
What is another name for valproic acid?
Valproic (val-PRO-ik) acid is the generic name (non-brand name) of a widely used type of seizure medicine. The brand-name form of valproic acid in the United States and Canada is
Depakene
. In the UK, it is Convulex. Brand names used in other countries include Depakine, Orfiril, Valporal, and Valprosid.
Is valproic acid and divalproex the same?
Divalproex sodium, valproate sodium, and valproic acid, are
all similar medications that are used by the body as valproic acid
. Therefore, the term valproic acid will be used to represent all of these medications in this discussion.
How much valproic acid is in Depakote?
Each Depakote ER tablet contains divalproex sodium equivalent to
250 mg
of valproic acid.
Who should not take valproic acid?
You should not use valproic acid 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.
How does valproic acid make you feel?
Valproic acid may cause some people to be
agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors
. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
When should I stop taking valproic acid?
Do not stop taking valproic acid suddenly,
unless your doctor tells you to
. You’re unlikely to get any extra symptoms when you stop taking this medicine. However if you’re taking it for bipolar disorder or to prevent migraine, your condition could get worse for a short time after you stop taking the medicine.
What is comparable to Depakote?
Lamictal
Which is safer lithium or Depakote?
Patients taking
lithium
had lower rates of self-harm and unintentional injury compared to those taking other bipolar drugs, such as valproate (Depacon, Depakote), olanzapine (Zyprexa) or quetiapine (Seroquel), said lead researcher Joseph Hayes.
Is 500mg of Depakote a lot?
Depakote ER is indicated for prophylaxis of migraine headaches in adults. The recommended starting dose is 500 mg
once daily for 1 week
, thereafter increasing to 1000 mg once daily.
What can you not take with Depakote?
Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain
antidepressants
(e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline, phenelzine), certain antibiotics (carbapenems such as doripenem, imipenem), irinotecan, mefloquine, orlistat, other medications for seizure (e.g., ethosuximide, lamotrigine, phenytoin, rufinamide, …
What does Depakote feel like?
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 are the long-term effects of taking Depakote?
What are the potential long-term effects of taking Depakote? Depakote
can cause liver damage
, and the risk is more likely to occur during the first 6 months of taking the medication.
What is the adverse effect of valproic acid?
Taking too much valproic acid can lead to symptoms such as: feeling or being sick
(nausea or vomiting) headaches
, or feeling dizzy. muscle weakness.
Does valproic acid help with anxiety?
It has been shown that valproic
acid reduces anxiety symptoms in
a 12-week open-label study in patients with social anxiety disorder [6. Valproic acid for the treatment of social anxiety disorder.
