what is depakote treatment?

Precautions

Mild forms of these symptoms include:

• tremors
• dizziness
• depression
• irritability
• anxiety

What are the side effects, if any, when stopping Depakote?

Re: Depakote Overdose. Wow I definitely believe you can OD on a medicine given at 30,000mg! Are you sure it isn't 3,000 mg and you misheard him? I mean the high dosage for Depakote is normal but he should be doing blood work to check your valpuric acid levels. I am on 1,000 mg and I am at a perfect place right now.

How much Depakote will cause you to overdose?

Depakote (divalproex) is good for long-term prevention of seizures, manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and migraines. Topamax (topiramate) is very effective at preventing many types of seizures and migraines, but it can cause several severe side effects that can lead to stopping the medication.

Is Depakote and Topamax the same thing?

What is Depakote? Depakote is a medication known as an anticonvulsant that is used to treat the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is also used to treat seizures and prevent migraine headaches.

What is Depakote use to treat?

Is Depakote a serious medication?

The medication Depakote (divalproex sodium) is an anticonvulsant. Doctors prescribe it to treat seizure disorders and to prevent migraine headaches. People also use it to manage the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Depakote side effects can be serious and sometimes fatal.

What is Depakote used for in mental health?

Valproate is a mood stabilizer medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), seizures (epilepsy), and migraine headaches. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and/or mania.

Is Depakote an antipsychotic or mood stabilizer?

Depakote is an anticonvulsant and Abilify is a psychotropic drug (antipsychotic).

Is Depakote an anti anxiety medication?

Valproic Acid (Depakote) Valproic acid is an epilepsy medication that is now used for the treatment of panic attacks as well as other psychiatric problems.

Can Depakote change your personality?

Divalproex sodium may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

Does Depakote make you happy?

Most voted positive review. I've been taking depakote for 9 months and it has some what helped my mood swings, but it has really improved my concentration and anxiety problems.

What are the serious side effects of Depakote?

Q: Does Depakote have serious side effects?Nausea or vomiting that does not go away.Loss of appetite.Pain on the right side of your stomach (abdomen)Dark urine.Swelling of your face.Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Does Depakote cause aggression?

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

What is the strongest mood stabilizer?

Lamotrigine. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) may be the most effective mood stabilizer for depression in bipolar disorder, but is not as helpful for mania. The starting dose of lamotrigine should be very low and increased very slowly over four weeks or more.

Does Depakote stop depression?

Previous studies suggest that Depakote is promising in the treatment of mixed and depressed episodes of bipolar disorder. This study utilizes the extended release formulation of divalproex sodium, with demonstrated increased tolerability.

Can Depakote make you sad?

Depression. Patients taking anticonvulsants for any reason may develop depression, and people with a history of mental illness are at an increased risk of worsening depression while taking Depakote.

Is Depakote the same as gabapentin?

Neurontin (gabapentin) is an old seizure disorder medicine that is now used to treat nerve-related pain caused by different conditions. Treats and prevents seizures, and stabilizes mood. Depakote (divalproex) is good for long-term prevention of seizures, manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and migraines.

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use Depakote if you are allergic to divalproex sodium, or if you have: 1. liver disease; 2. a urea cycle disorder; or 3. a genetic m...

How Should I Take Depakote?

Take Depakote exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction...

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Depakote?

Drinking alcohol may increase certain side effects of Depakote.See also: Depakote and alcohol (in more detail)Avoid driving or hazardous activity u...

What Other Drugs Will Affect Depakote?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may in...

What is the drug Depakote?

Depakote is an anticonvulsant. Doctors prescribe it to treat conditions that affect the brain. Depakote contains the active ingredient divalproex sodium. This is a combination of sodium valproate and valproic acid. The medication comes in a white powder form. Drugmaker AbbVie Inc. makes it into a tablet.

When was Depakote approved?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Depakote in 1983 to treat epilepsy. Doctors may sometimes prescribe divalproex sodium with other medications to treat types of seizures. The FDA expanded Depakote uses to include the treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

How long does Depakote take to deliver?

Depakote ER tablets are made to slowly deliver the medication over 24 hours. They are taken just once a day. They come in 250 mg and 500 mg. Depakote ER does not have a coating.

How does divalproex work?

Divalproex sodium works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The body produces GABA naturally. It is a chemical neurotransmitter — or brain messenger. Faster than normal electrical impulses in the brain can cause erratic impulses.

What is a black box warning on Depakote?

Depakote Black Box Warnings. The FDA requires that Depakote’s label have black box warnings. A black box warning is the agency’s most serious type of warning. It calls attention to serious or life-threatening risks. Depakote’s boxed warnings are for hepatotoxicity, fetal risk and pancreatitis.

Does depakote interact with other medications?

Valporic acid in Depakote may interact with a number of different medications. Depakote interactions may increase or decrease the effects of the medications. Some can be fatal.

Is Depakote delayed release?

They work similar to Depakote delayed release, except that they are in capsules rather than tablets. Patients who have trouble swallowing may open the capsules and sprinkle the medication on soft food. A closely related medication, Depakene (valproic acid), comes in capsule and liquid form.

What is the purpose of depakote?

Depakote is a brand (trade) name for divalproex sodium. Depakote may be used to treat certain types of seizure disorder, to reduce mania in people with bipolar disorder, and as a preventive treatment for migraines.

How long does it take for depakote to work?

The time it takes for Depakote to reach its peak effects depends on the formulation used. Tablets take 4 hours to reach a peak, Depakote sprinkles take just over three. Food can delay the absorption of Depakote (food has a more significant effect on the tablets compared with the sprinkles).

What medications interact with Depakote?

Common medications that may interact with Depakote include: antibiotics such as clarithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin. anticonvulsants such as lamotrigine, phenytoin, and phenobarbitone. antidepressants, such as desipramine, doxepin, isocarboxazid, nefazodone, phenelzine or venlafaxine. antihistamines, such as azelastine, cetirizine, ...

What are the factors that affect the dosage of Depakote?

The dosage of Depakote depends on several patient factors including age, the medical condition for which Depakote is prescribed, sensitivity to side effects, the presence of dehydration, and nutritional status.

Can you take Depakote while pregnant?

Depakote is not recommended for migraine prophylaxis in pregnant women. If you are using Depakote to treat epilepsy of manic episodes use effective birth control and speak to your doctor before choosing to become pregnant. Depakote can cause birth defects in unborn children.

Can Depakote cause liver failure?

May cause fatal liver failure; the risk is greatest in children aged less than two and people with underlying conditions (such as a mitochondrial disorder, preexisting liver disease, or a urea cycle disorder). Depakote is not recommended for migraine prophylaxis in pregnant women.

Can you take Depakote with contraceptives?

Depakote should be used with caution in women with child-bearing potential. Contraceptives should always be taken alongside Depakote and you should talk with your doctor before attempting to conceive, because Depakote has been associated with birth deformities.

What Is Valproate And What Does It Treat?

Valproate is a mood stabilizer medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), seizures (epilepsy), and migraine headaches. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and/or mania.

What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Valproate?

With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Missing doses of valproate may increase your risk for a relapse in your mood symptoms.

What Happens If I Overdose With Valproate?

If an overdose occurs call your doctor or 911. You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

What Other Medications May Interact With Valproate?

Combining valproate with topiramate (Topamax®) may increase ammonia levels in your blood. If this happens, you may get confused, disoriented, or have difficulty thinking.

How Long Does It Take For Valproate To Work?

It is very important to tell your doctor how you feel things are going during the first few weeks after you start taking valproate. It will probably take several weeks to see big enough changes in your symptoms to decide if valproate is the right medication for you.

What is the generic name for Valproate?

Generic names: Valproate (val PROE ate) Divalproex (dye val PRO ex) sodium. Valproic (val PROE ik) acid. Note: Throughout this fact sheet, the medication will be referred to as valproate. Even though valproate is available in different names, strengths, and formulations, all provide the same active medicine.

Is Valproate a mood stabilizer?

Valproate is a mood stabilizer medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), seizures (epilepsy), and migraine headaches. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and/or mania. Symptoms of depression include:

What do Depakote and Depakote ER do?

Depakote and Depakote ER increase the level of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain. GABA has a calming effect on the nerve cells in your brain.

Can Depakote and Depakote ER be crushed, split, or chewed?

Depakote delayed-release tablets and Depakote ER tablets should not be crushed, split, or chewed. Doing so will damage their delayed-release or extended-release action. These tablets should be swallowed whole. This is easier if you take them with water.

Is Depakote or Depakote ER a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic?

Depakote and Depakote ER are not antipsychotics. They’re sometimes called mood stabilizers when used to treat bipolar disorder. Depakote and Depakote ER actually belong to a group of drugs called anticonvulsants (also called antiepileptics or seizure medications).

Does Depakote or Depakote ER come as a liquid? Is either drug given by IV?

No, Depakote and Depakote ER are not available as a liquid, and they are not given by IV injection.

Are there side effects from stopping Depakote or Depakote ER? Can you stop these drugs ‘cold turkey’?

Stopping Depakote or Depakote ER treatment shouldn’t cause side effects. These medications don’t cause dependence, and withdrawal symptoms haven’t been reported* in people who stop taking them “cold turkey.” Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that you may have if you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. Stopping cold turkey is when you suddenly stop taking a drug.

Is Depakote or Depakote ER used for anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia? If so, what’s the dosage?

Depakote and Depakote ER are not specifically approved to treat anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia. So there aren’t recommended dosages for these conditions. However, they might be prescribed off-label * for these conditions if other medications haven’t worked well enough.

When was Depakote first approved?

Depakote was first approved by the FDA in 1996. Is there a generic version of Depakote? Yes, the generic version is known as divalproex sodium and is sold in the U.S. Are there any major differences between Depakote and other antipsychotics used to treat bipolar disorder?

What are the disadvantages of Depakote?

The biggest disadvantages of Depakote are potential side effects which include possible liver damage or pancreatitis. Pregnant women are also typically advised not to take the medication due to the risk of birth defects.

What is the medication used for bipolar?

Depakote is a medication known as an anticonvulsant that is used to treat the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. What is Depakote ? Depakote is a medication known as an anticonvulsant that is used to treat the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is also used to treat seizures and prevent migraine headaches.

How to know if you overdosed on Depakote?

An overdose of Depakote could be fatal, so seek immediate help or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 if you overdose. Overdose symptoms can include irregular heartbeat, sleepiness, and loss of consciousness resulting in a coma.

Can depakote be taken while pregnant?

Depakote can cause birth defects and fetal harm when taken during pregnancy. The drug can be transferred via breast milk and potentially harm a baby. Therefore, talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are nursing before you take Depakote.

Can you take Depakote with liver disease?

Persons with liver disease, mitochondrial disease, and urea cycle disorders are typically advised not to take Depakote. What is the typical dose that would be prescribed to someone taking Depakote? The FDA recommends that dosage for treating mania begin at 750 mg daily.

Does depakote cause liver problems?

Depakote can cause liver damage, and the risk is more likely to occur during the first 6 months of taking the medication. Signs might include nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, facial swelling, and yellowing of the skin or white of eyes.

How effective is Depakote?

Depakote’s benefits Depakote is very effective for acute mania, and rapidly so, usually quelling manic symptoms within a week, and this is what Depakote is FDA-approved for. Start at 250-500 mg QHS and increase rapidly to achieve a blood level of 70-80 mcg/ml.

How is depakote formed?

Depakote is formed by adding sodium hydroxide to two valproic acid molecules, yielding a molecule that is double the size of Depakene, but which gets broken right back down to humble valproic acid in ...

Is Depakote ER effective for migraines?

Depakote ER is an extended release version of Depakote that is FDA approved for migraines and siezures in once-daily dosing, but it’s likely that any of the versions of valproic acid are effective when dosed once-a-day. Depakote’s benefits Depakote is very effective for acute mania, and rapidly so, usually quelling manic symptoms within a week, ...

Is Depakote ER an enteric?

The “kote” in Depakote refers to the fact that it comes in an enteric-coated tablet. It tends to cause fewer GI side effects than Depakene, is absorbed more slowly, and has a somewhat longer half life (12 hours vs. 8 hours). Depakote ER is an extended release version of Depakote that is FDA approved for migraines and siezures in once-daily dosing, but it’s likely that any of the versions of valproic acid are effective when dosed once-a-day.

Is Depakote effective in RCBD?

This was based on one of the pivotal studies leading to FDA approval for Depakote (2). In this study, Depako te was effective in patients with RCBD; lithium did not help such patients, but only because there were no RC patients in the lithium arm of the study!

Is Depakote good for mania?

So, what to conclude about Depakote? Certainly it is a good treatment for acute mania, but controlled evidence for its effectiveness in any other aspect of bipolar treatment is remarkably sparse, considering how widely it is used.

Is Depakote better than Lithium?

The other, somewhat less mythological impression, is that Depakote is better than lithium at treating mixed mania. This is based largely on a single study reported in 1997 of 179 patients who were hospitalized for acute mania. Patients were randomized to Depakote, LiCO3, or placebo.

Is there a medication for dementia?

The bottom line is that there is generally not a highly effective medication to treat behavioral disturbances in dementia. 3 

Can Valproate be swallowed whole?

Valproate comes in different forms, including tablets, extended-release tablets, capsules with valproate sprinkles (these capsules can be swallowed whole or opened and the contents sprinkled on soft food for those with difficulty swallowing) and injections/IVs for those who can't take oral medications.

Is valproate off label?

Using valproate in this manner is considered off-label since it is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use. "Valproate products include valproate sodium (Depacon), divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER), valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor), and their generics," according to the FDA. 1 .

Does Valproate cause agitation?

Multiple studies also found that the participants who received valproate were at a high risk for side effects from the medication. 6  Those side effects included thrombocytopenia (decreased blood platelets), increased agitation, gait disturbances, tremor, sedation and sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Is Valproate good for dementia?

Thus, valproate rose as a contender in the attempt to treat agitation in dementia. In addition to the hope of it being an effective treatment, valproate had the advantage of being a medication that initially flew a little more under the radar in terms of the nursing home regulations—which are highly concentrated on the reduction and elimination of antipsychotic medications in dementia but not as focused on valproate.

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