DEPAKOTE

Who is Depakote for ?

Divalproex is used, alone or with other drugs, to treat certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It also is used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat various psychiatric illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and aggression. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Divalproex may be used to treat other types of seizures in adults and children, incontinence after certain surgical procedures, and certain anxiety disorders. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Divalproex works by making a chemical called GABA more available in the brain and by making the nerve endings in the brain more sensitive to GABA. GABA works to inhibit or decrease nerve excitability, and thus seizure activity is decreased.

When should I be careful taking Depakote ?

Divalproex can cause a liver disorder. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: loss of seizure control, loss of appetite, vomiting, dark urine, weakness, fatigue, facial swelling, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to divalproex.

Before taking divalproex,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to divalproex or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other seizure medications, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), cimetidine (Tagamet), diazepam (Valium), erythromycin, medications for colds or allergies such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), medications for pain such as meperidine (Demerol), muscle relaxants, rifampin (Rifadin), salicylates such as aspirin, sedatives such as phenobarbital, tranquilizers such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), vitamins, and zidovudine (Retrovir). Divalproex affects the action of other medications, and many medications can affect the action of divalproex. Tell your doctor and pharmacist everything you are taking.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease or a blood disorder.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking divalproex, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking divalproex.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

Side Effects

Although side effects from divalproex are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• indigestion

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• weakness
• facial swelling
• skin rash
• easy bruising
• tiny purple-colored skin spots
• bloody nose
• unusual bleeding
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark urine
• fever
• sore throat