| Depakote affects chemicals in your body that may be involved in causing seizures, migraines, and mania. The exact way that it works is unknown. Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders, to prevent migraine headaches, and to control mania associated with bipolar disorder. See table below. |  |
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Usage:Depakote affects chemicals in your body that may be involved in causing seizures, migraines, and mania. The exact way that it works is unknown. Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders, to prevent migraine headaches, and to control mania associated with bipolar disorder.
Directions: Take Depakote exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Depakote with food if it upsets your stomach. Do not crush, chew, or break the capsules or delayed- or extended-release tablets (Depakote, Depakote ER). Swallow them whole. The sprinkle capsules can either be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled onto some soft food such as applesauce or pudding. Your doctor may want you to have blood tests during your therapy. It is important for your doctor to know how much medication is in your blood and how well your liver is working. Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency. Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking Depakote to prevent your seizures from recurring.
Side Effects: In rare cases, Depakote has caused liver failure, sometimes resulting in death. Children younger than 2 years of age, especially those taking multiple seizure medicines, those with metabolic diseases, those with mental retardation, and those with organic brain disease are at the highest risk of liver failure. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop loss of seizure control, weakness, fatigue, swelling of the face, vomiting, or loss of appetite. These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. In rare cases, Depakote has also caused severe, even fatal, cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Some of the cases have progressed rapidly from initial symptoms to death. Cases have been reported soon after starting treatment with Depakote, as well as after several years of use. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite. These symptoms may be early signs of pancreatitis. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Depakote and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); a rash; unusual bleeding or bruising; or double vision or back-and-forth movements of the eyes. Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take Depakote and notify your doctor if you experience tremor (shaking); weight gain; menstrual changes; hair loss; drowsiness or weakness; depression or other psychiatric changes; headache; or low red blood cells (anemia). Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions: Depakote may interact with other drugs that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, antidepressants, antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if Depakote is taken with alcohol or any of these medications. Talk to your doctor before taking Depakote in combination with alcohol or any other medicines. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Depakote may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Drug Interactions: Other drugs used to treat seizures such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), felbamate (Felbatol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), clonazepam (Klonopin), and others may increase or decrease the effects of Depakote and may themselves have increased or decreased effectiveness. Tell your doctor about all other medications that you are taking. Before taking Depakote, tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin. Depakote may interact with these medications and affect the clotting of your blood. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking either of these drugs. Depakote may interact with other drugs that cause drowsiness, including alcohol, antidepressants, antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if Depakote is taken with alcohol or any of these medications. Talk to your doctor before taking Depakote in combination with alcohol or any other medicines. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Depakote. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
If You Take Too Much:Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Depakote overdose include unconsciousness, sleepiness or drowsiness, faint or no heartbeat, decreased breathing, or stopped breathing.
Missed Dose:Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Storage: Store Depakote at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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