Depakote (Divalproex)

What is Generic Depakote?

Depakote is a medication that reduces anxiety and seizure of motor areas of the brain. Shows tranquilizing properties, improves mood and mental state of patients has anti-arrhythmic activity, highly effective in absences and little effective in psychomotor seizures. Depakote has a good level of connection with the plasma proteins. The half-life is 8-20 hours (in children is shorter). It is excreted mainly in the urine.

In what kind of disease treatment Depakote is helpful?

The drug is approved to treat manic or mixed condition associated with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder) and to prevent migraine headaches. They are also used for other conditions, in particular to other mental disorders.

Also this medicine is used to treat epileptic seizures: generalized seizures (grand mal, polymorphic and others), small forms (monotherapy), local and partial seizures (motor, psychomotor and others); convulsions; behavioral disorders; febrile convulsions and tics in children.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Generic Depakote?

The drug not allowed in hypersensitivity, violations of the liver and / or pancreas, hepatitis (acute, chronic, drug, etc., including in the family history), bleeding diathesis. Tablets can be used by children.

How should I take Depakote?

The drug is taken internally with food.

Depakote Dosage information

Dosage is prescribed according to your state of health, weight, age and response to therapy. You should use this medication regularly which is necessary to get the best effect of it. Do not forget to use it every day at the same time, to keep the amount of medication in your blood constant. If you buy Depakote online then read the instruction in the package.

What may interact with Depakote?

Divalproex increases the concentration of Phenytoin by displacing it from binding with plasma proteins and inhibition of biotransformation, inhibits CYP3A4 and lowers the metabolism of Carbamazepine. Carbamazepine induces hepatic microsomal enzymes clearance increases and decreases in plasma content divalproex. Phenobarbital induces hepatic microsomal enzymes which increases and reduces the clearance of the active ingredient in plasma. It inhibits the metabolism of Phenobarbital increases T1 / 2 and reduces its plasma clearance; Increases (mutually) concentration of primidone in the serum, ethosuximide, salicylates, including acetylsalicylic acid, dicumarol.  It stimulates the inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by anticoagulants (Warfarin) and Aspirin.

What should I watch for while taking Depakote?

If you are taking drugs such as Lithium or Divalproex you will need regular blood tests. With the results of these tests the doctor will choose the dose that is safe for your child.

It is contraindicated in I trimester of pregnancy but is can be taken in the II and III trimester of pregnancy if the effect of therapy outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Breast-feeding is also not recommended because active ingredients can penetrate into breast milk.

Physicians very careful prescribe this drug for patients with liver disease and pancreatic cancer in the anamnesis, children especially up to 3 years (the highest risk of hepatotoxicity), women of childbearing age (required reliable contraception), lactating mothers, in comparison with other anticonvulsants, antidepressants, CNS depressants.

Before the treatment in case of exceeding dosages during the first 6 months then once in every 2-3 months of maintenance therapy should be carefully controlled liver function, pancreas, blood clotting system (prothrombin in the blood). Before the surgery it is required complete blood count (including platelet count). If you have symptoms of "acute abdomen" before the surgery then you need to determine the level of amylase in the blood for elimination of acute pancreatitis. You should also consider the possible distortion in the urine tests (in diabetes), indicators of thyroid function.

With great caution the drug is used when performing intense intellectual and physical work. During Depakote treatment is not allowed consumption of drinks containing alcohol.

What side effects may I notice from Generic Depakote?

Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea and other dyspeptic disorders, decreased or increased appetite.; liver dysfunction (transient increase in liver transaminases and a level of bilirubin in the blood serum) and pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, down to heavy defeats even fatal; disturbance of consciousness, stupor, depression, fatigue, weakness, hallucinations, aggression, hyperactivity condition, behavioral disorders, psychosis, headache, dizziness, encephalopathy, tremor, ataxia, dysarthria, diplopia, nystagmus, flashing "flies" in front of their eyes, enuresis; alopecia, erythematous manifestations, thrombocytopenia, decreased blood clotting, accompanied by a prolonged bleeding time, petechiae, bruising, hematoma, bleeding, etc., hypofibrinogenemia, leukopenia, eosinophilia, anemia, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, weight gain, hyperammonaemia, followed by lethargy and coma, functional tests thyroid gland changes, photosensitivity, allergic reactions (rash, angioedema), generalized pruritus, Stevens - Johnson syndrome, necrotic lesions skin fatal (in older children when administered within 6 months).

Where can I keep Depakote?

This medication should be kept in a dry, well-sheltered from the light place. The optimum temperature is 25 ° C. You can also buy generic Depakote online without prescription.