In children, steady state is reached after
about 2 days
of taking Depakote ER. It takes about 5 days for the same thing to happen in seniors. After steady state is achieved, the levels of medication in the blood can be expected to be fairly constant.
How long does it take Depakote to reach therapeutic levels for bipolar?
nightly. Doses may be increased over time until a therapeutic blood level is achieved and clinical benefits are apparent. Improvement may be evident in
7-10 days
, but it can take several more weeks to reach maximum benefit.
What are therapeutic Depakote levels?
The reference ranges for valproic acid are as follows: The therapeutic range for valproic acid (total) is
50-125 μg/mL
. The toxic level is greater than 150 μg/mL. The therapeutic range for valproic acid (free) is 6-22 μg/mL.
When do you monitor Depakote levels?
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 happens if Depakote levels are too high?
Increased ammonia levels
. If this happens, you may get confused, disoriented, or have difficulty thinking.
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).
How does Depakote make you feel?
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.
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.
How long does Depakote stay in your blood?
It forms a layer of gel that releases the medicine slowly. The highest level of medicine in the blood is reached in
7 to 14 hours
after Depakote ER is taken.
Do you need to fast for a Depakote level?
No Fasting Required
. No other special preparations required.
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, …
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.
Is Depakote an antipsychotic med?
Depakote is
an anticonvulsant
and Abilify is a psychotropic drug (antipsychotic). Side effects of Depakote and Abilify that are similar include drowsiness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, constipation, weight changes, or vision changes/blurred vision.
What does Depakote do to the brain?
Divalproex sodium
works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain
. The body produces GABA naturally. It is a chemical neurotransmitter — or brain messenger. Faster than normal electrical impulses in the brain can cause erratic impulses.
What does valproic acid make you feel like?
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.
