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What is Depakote
 Depakote
affects chemicals in the 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.
Depakote
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Depakote
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.
Do not stop taking
this medication if you have a seizure disorder, even if
you feel better. It is important to continue taking Depakote
to prevent the seizures from recurring.
Do not crush,
chew, or break the capsules or delayed- or extended-release
tablets (Depakote, Depakote ER). Swallow them whole.
Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others
know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an
emergency.
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, including
herbal products.
What you should find out before taking
Depakote
Do not take Depakote if you have liver disease or
a urea cycle disorder.
Depakote is in the FDA pregnancy
category D. This means that it is known to be harmful to
an unborn baby. Malformations of the face and head, heart,
and nervous system have been reported. Do not take Depakote
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
Depakote
passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant.
Do not take Depakote without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Children younger
than 2 years of age are at an increased risk for liver damage,
especially if Depakote is taken with other seizure medicines.
How should take Depakote 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 causes stomach upset.
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 treatment. 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 this
medication if you have a seizure disorder, even if you feel
better. It is important to continue taking Depakote to prevent
the seizures from recurring.
Store Depakote at room
temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you
missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Depakote overdose include unconsciousness, sleepiness
or drowsiness, faint or no heartbeat, decreased breathing,
or stopped breathing.
Avoid while taking Depakote 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, including herbal products.
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.
Possible side effects of Depakote 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;
- unexplained lethargy (fatigue), vomiting,
or changes in mental status;
- 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.
What other drugs will affect Depakote 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, including herbal products. |
