Depakote (Divalproex)

Side effects

The most common side effects associated with Depakote are:

• diarrhea
• coprostasis
• dyspepsia
• depression
• anxiety
• menstrual irregularities
• enlarged breasts
• shaking
• alopecia
• weight changes
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth
• feeling drowsy
• weakness
• emotional changes
• vision changes

Less common but more serious side effects during taking Depakote:

• allergic reactions (urticaria, breathing difficulties, rash, and eruption)
• vomiting
• confusion fainting
• easy bleeding
• high temperature
• chills
• body aches
• flu symptoms
• urinating less than usual
• hallucinations
• lack of coordination
• double vision
• back-and-forth movements of the eyes
• weakness
• easy bruising
• blood in your urine
• sedation

Side effects occurrence does not only depend on the medication you are taking, but also on your overall health and other factors.

Contraindications

Do not take Depakote if you are allergic to Depakote components.

Do not take Depakote if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Do not take medicines which cause sleepiness.

Be careful if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement.

Be careful with Depakote if you suffer from or have a history of vomiting, extreme tiredness and/or irritability; episodes of confusion and loss of ability to think and understand, especially during pregnancy or after childbirth; coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time); difficulty coordinating your movements; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); cytomegalovirus (CMV; a virus that can cause symptoms in people who have weak immune systems); hyperlipidemia (higher than normal amount of fats in the blood); or kidney disease, urea cycle disorder, mental retardation.

Be careful with Depakote if you take aspirin, barbiturates such as phenobarbital and seconal blood thinners such as Coumadin, Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), Nortriptyline (Pamelor), clonazepam (Klonopin), ethosuximide (Zarontin), felbamate (Felbatol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), phenytoin (Dilantin), and Primidone Mysoline), Rifampin (Rifater, Rimactane), Sleep aids such as Halcion, Tolbutamide (Orinase),Tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax, Zidovudine (Retrovir), Amitriptyline (Elavil), carbamazepine (Tegretol), Merrem IV (meropenem for injection).

If you experience drowsiness and dizziness while taking Depakote you should avoid any activities such as driving or operating machinery.

Avoid alcohol while taking Depakote.

Avoid being dehydrating.

If you are going to have a surgery, be careful with Depakote.

It can be dangerous to stop Depakote taking suddenly.

Q: What is Depakote?

A: Depakote is a high-quality medication which is taken in treatment of various types of seizure disorders. It is anticonvulsant.

Q: What is Depakote target?

A: Depakote target is a struggle against seizure disorders.

Q: How does Depakote work?

A: Depakote acts by increasing the amount of a certain natural substance in the brain.

Q: What should I do in case of dose missing?

A: In case of dose missing you should take your tablet as soon as possible. Do not take double dosage. And if it is right time for the next dosage you should continue your regular schedule of Depakote taking.

Q: Why should I not use Depakote?

A: Do not take Depakote if you are allergic to Depakote components. Do not take Depakote if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Q: Can Depakote cause allergic reaction?

A: Yes, it can. Depakote allergy reactions are urticaria, breathing difficulties, rash, and eruption.