Depakote

Warning:
Serious, even fatal, liver problems have occurred in patients using Depakote. Children using Depakote who are under the age of 2 years are at higher risk to experience liver problems, especially if they also have a severe seizure disorder along with mental retardation; are using more than one seizure control drug; have body process (metabolic) problems or have brain disorders. If used in these patients, Depakote must not be used with additional seizure control drugs. Early signs of liver problems include loss of seizure control, vomiting, unusual tiredness/weakness, loss of appetite, yellowing eyes/skin, or swelling of the face. Contact your doctor promptly if you develop any of these symptoms. Liver tests should be run before and during use of the drug. Additionally, severe (even fatal) pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) has occurred during use of Depakote. It may progress quickly and may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Contact your doctor promptly if you develop any of these symptoms. Depakote may cause birth defects. Consult your doctor about the use of Depakote during pregnancy.

Uses:
Depakote is used to treat seizure disorders and to prevent migraine headaches.

How to Take:
May be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Capsules may be swallowed whole or open the capsules and sprinkle entire contents on a teaspoonful of soft food such as applesauce or pudding. Swallow the drug/food mixture immediately (do not chew). Do not keep for future use. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the level of medication in your blood constant. Take doses at evenly spaced intervals.

Side Effects:
Mild stomach pain, loss of appetite, change in menstrual periods, diarrhea, mild hair loss, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, rash or headache might occur. If any of these effects continue or are bothersome, inform your doctor. Very unlikely but report: yellowing eye/skin, unusual weakness, vomiting, mood or mental changes, blurred or double vision, severe stomach pain, unusual bleeding or bruising. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions:
Before you take Depakote, tell your doctor if you have: liver disease, a bleeding disorder, brain disorder, pancreatitis, any allergies. Use caution driving motor vehicles or performing tasks that require alertness. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take Depakote. Depakote may interfere with urine ketone testing and give false positive results. If very high sugar readings (e.g., over 300) are occurring, ketones may be in your urine. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. Use with extreme caution in children under 2 years old as the potential for serious liver problems exist. The drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking Depakote. Divalproex is excreted into human breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions:
Be sure to tell your doctor of all over-the-counter or prescription drugs you are taking, especially of: other medication for seizures (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ethosuximide, clonazepam); anticoagulants ("blood thinners"), aspirin, chlorpromazine, cimetidine, mefloquine, drugs used for colds or allergies (antihistamines), sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), sedatives or tranquilizers. Depakote may alter certain laboratory test results (e.g., urine ketones). Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include deep sleep, irregular heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.

Notes:
It is recommended to wear or carry medication identification indicating you are taking Depakote. Lab tests may be done, especially in the first few months to check if the drug is working properly. Do not allow anyone else to take Depakote.

Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose and your dosing schedule is 1 dose daily, take the missed dose as soon as remembered. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. If you take 2 or more doses daily and you remember within 6 hours of the missed dose, take it immediately. Then take the remainder of the doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.