The babies of women taking valproic acid have a greater than usual number of minor craniofacial abnormalities, organ malformations, limb deficiencies, or developmental delay.
The risk of defects is higher for women who take more than one AED and for women with a family history of birth defects. Moreover the NEAD study showed that children born to women who took Valproic acid, had lower IQ scores than children born to women with epilepsy who tool other seizure medications.
Women with epilepsy who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant should talk to their doctor about their seizure medicines. Taking more than one seizure medicine may increase the risk of birth defects, so doctors sometimes gradually reduce the number or amount of seizure medicines taken by women planning for pregnancy. This is not done routinely, however, because it increases the risk of seizures. All women who are capable of becoming pregnant should take at least mcg 0. The most well-known of these is spina bifida, in which the spinal cord is not completely enclosed.
These defects are more common in the babies of women who take Depakote ER during the first 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy. If the doctor thinks a woman is at especially high risk, a much larger dose of folic acid— mcg 4 mg per day—may be recommended.
There's no proof that the folic acid will prevent the defects, however, so the doctor may recommend a check-up later in pregnancy. It is helpful for the doctor to check the levels of medicine in the blood regularly during pregnancy so that the dosage can be adjusted if necessary.
Breast-feeding by mothers taking Depakote ER should be safe for healthy, full-term newborns. The amount of medicine the baby gets through the milk is much less than the amount that doctors safely give to babies who take Depakote for seizures.
Doctors have prescribed Depakote ER and other valproate medicines to people over 65 for many years with good results. These seniors do have a few special problems, however. Usually seniors can continue to take all the medicines they need, including Depakote ER, without trouble if the doctor changes the amount of some of them to make up for the way they affect each other. Seniors also tend to be more sensitive than younger adults to medicines and their side effects.
For instance, many seniors have a problem with sleepiness, depression, weight gain, or shaking of the hands even before they start taking Depakote ER. These are common side effects of this medicine, so these problems may become worse and cause real trouble. Because the level of medicine in the blood is more steady with Depakote ER than with other valproate medicines, however, side effects like tremor may be less of a problem when Depakote ER is used.
Seniors also face more danger from some side effects because they are more likely to be seriously hurt if they fall or have another kind of accident.
To reduce side effects, the doctor probably will prescribe a very low dose of medicine to start and then be cautious about any increases. The smallest tablet of Depakote ER, mg, may be too large for some seniors to start with.
They may begin by taking regular Depakote or another valproate medicine instead. They can change to Depakote ER later, when they're ready for a higher dose. The best amount is the amount that completely controls seizures without causing troublesome side effects. It depends on many factors, which are different for every individual. Follow the doctor's directions.
Call if you have any questions. No one should stop taking Depakote ER or change the amount they take without talking to the doctor first. Stopping any seizure medicine all at once can cause a problem that may be life-threatening. If one or two extra tablets are taken by accident, call the doctor for advice.
For a larger overdose, call a poison control center or emergency room right away unless you have other specific directions from your doctor. To avoid unwanted side effects, the doctor will prescribe a low dose to start and increase it gradually until the seizures are controlled, unless side effects get too bad first. People who change to Depakote ER after taking regular Depakote or another valproate medicine will need to take a little more Depakote ER to achieve the same effect.
In the United States, companies that manufacture medicines are required to publish certain kinds of information about each product. You can also read these documents also called "prescribing information" online.
The U. To learn how to read and understand a package insert, see "How to read a package insert. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. Skip to main content. Select a Medication Basic Advanced. Depakote ER Tablet. Used to treat Absence Seizures. Dosing Please see package insert. How to take and store Divalproex Sodium-ER? What if I forget? Patients who often forget doses may benefit from using a special pillbox or watch with an alarm.
How does Divalproex Sodium-ER affect the brain? How does the body digest Divalproex Sodium-ER? How well does the Divalproex Sodium-ER work? What are the most common side effects of Divalproex Sodium-ER? The most common complaints usually not too severe are: tiredness sometimes with slower thinking dizziness upset stomach vomiting tremor shaking of the hands or other parts of the body hair loss weight gain changes in behavior depression in adults, irritability in children If you notice any of these problems, call the doctor.
Depakote ER tablets contain divalproex sodium in a once-a-day extended-release formulation …. Do not crush, chew or split tablets.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Doing so may increase the risk of dependency, adverse effects, and eventual Klonopin addiction. Can you still get high off of depakote?
I have depakote, which is usd to treat the exact same things as neurontin even for nerve damage pain. Buddy of mine offered me some Depakote to try.
The delayed-release tablets are also used to control the manic episodes--periods of abnormally high spirits and energy--that occur in bipolar disorder manic. A urea cycle disorder; or 3. What is Depakote and how does it affect your health? As a harm reduction site I understand your concern and haste to deter this but you should really give some information supporting yourself or regarding the possibility that people do abuse sodium valproate.
Depakote, in both delayed-release tablet and capsule form, is used to treat certain types of seizures and convulsions. Depakote is another name for divalproex sodium. Do not chew the sprinkle capsule or contents. Therefore, talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are nursing before you take Depakote Depakote Delayed-Release Tablets and Depakote ER are used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Scientists still do not know the causes of bipolar disorder, but several contributing factors have been identified as potential factors.
It may be prescribed alone or with other epilepsy medications. Depakote Valproic acid is a compound that is utilized as an anticonvulsant to help prevent seizures in epileptics. Do you get high on Depakote? See what others have said about Depakote, including the effectiveness, ease of use and side effects..
TIME: 6. Depakote caused alot of anxiety but overall I was doing better. Neurontin contains gabapentin which is why you get high off of it, but depakote doesn't. People living with bipolar disorder who wish to become pregnant face important decisions.
It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. Valproate has been associated with an increased risk of spinal cord defects spina bifida. Bleeding, liver problems, decreased IQ scores, developmental delays, and other birth defects have also been reported. There may be precautions to decrease the risk of these effects. Discontinuing mood stabilizer medications during pregnancy has been associated with a significant increase in symptom relapse.
Regarding breastfeeding, caution is advised since valproate does pass into breast milk in small amounts. Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks.
The dose usually ranges from mg to mg or more. Only your health care provider can determine the correct dose for you, as sometimes the dose required is based on your weight. Do not chew the sprinkle capsule or contents. Valproate syrup: Measure with a dosing spoon or oral syringe that you can get from your pharmacy. 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. This helps to treat seizures and manic episodes and prevent migraine headaches.
Divalproex sodium oral tablet can cause drowsiness and dizziness. If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information.
However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice.
Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Divalproex sodium oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works.
This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Taking propofol with divalproex sodium can increase the levels of propofol in your body. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor will likely decrease your dosage of propofol. Taking felbamate with divalproex sodium may increase the level of divalproex sodium in your body and increase your risk of side effects.
If you take felbamate with divalproex sodium, your doctor may adjust your dosage of divalproex sodium. Taking topiramate with divalproex sodium may increase your risk of high ammonia levels in your blood, or low body temperature hypothermia.
Taking aspirin with divalproex sodium may increase the level of divalproex sodium in your body and increase your risk of side effects. If you take aspirin with divalproex sodium, your doctor may adjust your dosage of divalproex sodium. Taking warfarin with divalproex sodium may increase the levels of warfarin in your body. Your doctor may monitor your INR more often if you need to take divalproex sodium together with warfarin.
Taking these drugs with divalproex sodium may decrease the level of divalproex sodium in your body. This means that it may not work as well to treat your condition. If you have to take a carbapenem antibiotic while taking divalproex sodium, your doctor will monitor your blood levels closely. Examples of these antibiotics include:.
Taking zidovudine with divalproex sodium may increase the levels of zidovudine in your body. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for side effects. Taking some birth control medications with divalproex sodium can lower the amount of divalproex sodium in your body, making it less effective. If you need to use hormonal contraception, such as the pill, your doctor will likely monitor the amount of divalproex sodium in your body.
Taking certain mood disorder and seizure drugs with divalproex sodium may increase the levels of these drugs in your body. Your doctor may adjust your dosage of these medications or monitor you more closely for side effects. Examples of these drugs include:. Taking other mood disorder and seizure drugs with divalproex sodium may decrease the level of divalproex sodium in your body. Your doctor may adjust your dosage of divalproex sodium. Taking rifampin with divalproex sodium may decrease the level of divalproex sodium in your body.
If you take these drugs together, your doctor may adjust your dosage of divalproex sodium. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions.
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