Depakote and Depakote ER Interactions: Other Drugs and More

Depakote and Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) are prescription drugs that are used to:

• treat certain types of seizures in adults and some children
• treat bipolar disorder in adults
• prevent migraine headaches in adults

Like other drugs, Depakote and Depakote ER may have interactions.

Some interactions occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. For example, sometimes alcohol, another drug, or a supplement can affect how a drug acts in your body. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions.

Keep reading to learn about possible interactions with these drugs, including what you should not take with Depakote or Depakote ER. And for more information about Depakote and Depakote ER, including details about its uses, see this article.

Certain health conditions or other factors could raise your risk of harm if you take Depakote or Depakote ER. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Depakote or Depakote ER for you. These are known as contraindications. The list below includes contraindications of Depakote and Depakote ER.

If you have liver problems. Depakote and Depakote ER can cause severe liver damage, which can be life threatening. In some cases, liver damage can interfere with how these drugs work to manage seizures. Due to this risk, it’s not recommended that you take Depakote or Depakote ER if you have liver problems or have had them in the past.

If you have mitochondrial disorders. Mitochondrial disorders are rare conditions caused by gene mutations affecting the mitochondria. Having certain mitochondrial disorders can raise your risk of liver damage from Depakote or Depakote ER. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe these drugs if you have certain mitochondrial disorders.

If you have urea cycle disorders. With urea cycle disorders, your body doesn’t get rid of urea as well as usual. (Urea is a chemical made from ammonia.) Depakote and Depakote ER can cause ammonia to build up in your body. Taking Depakote or Depakote ER if you have urea cycle disorders can raise your risk of having high ammonia levels. High ammonia level can harm your brain function. Because of this, your doctor may not prescribe these medications if you have this kind of condition.

If you’re pregnant. Depakote and Depakote ER can cause harm to a fetus if taken during pregnancy. Due to this risk, these drugs should not be taken during pregnancy.

If you take topiramate (Topamax). Taking topiramate (Topamax) with Depakote or Depakote ER has been known to cause high blood ammonia level, which may harm your brain function. Taking these drugs together may also cause hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature).

If you’ve had an allergic reaction. If you have had an allergic reaction to Depakote or Depakote ER or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Depakote and Depakote ER. This is because taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better options for you.

Before you start taking Depakote and Depakote ER, talk with your doctor if any of the factors above apply to you. Your doctor can determine whether Depakote and Depakote ER are safe for you to take.

Depakote and Depakote are not known to interact with alcohol. But your doctor might recommend that you avoid alcohol while taking either of these drugs. This is because drowsiness or dizziness are side effects of Depakote, Depakote ER, and alcohol. So, combining alcohol with either of these drugs may make any drowsiness or dizziness that you experience worse.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor to learn how much alcohol, if any, may be safe to consume during your treatment with Depakote or Depakote ER.

Before you start taking Depakote or Depakote ER, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Depakote and Depakote ER interact with supplements, herbs, and vitamins, see the “Are there other interactions with Depakote and Depakote ER?” section below.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The chart below lists drugs that may interact with Depakote and Depakote ER. Keep in mind that this chart does not include all drugs that may interact with these drugs. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section below.

Drug group or drug name	Drug examples	What can happen
aspirin	—	can raise your risk of side effects from Depakote or Depakote ER
carbapenem antibiotics	• ertapenem (Invanz) • meropenem (Merrem)	can make Depakote and Depakote ER less effective
estrogen-containing birth control	• ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel (Aviane, Nordette, Seasonique) • ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone (Balziva, Necon 0. 5/35, Loestrin) • ethinyl estradiol, norgestimate (Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, Ortho-Cyclen, Sprintec)	can make Depakote and Depakote ER less effective than usual
certain other seizure drugs	• phenytoin (Dilantin) • carbamazepine (Tegretol) • primidone (Mysoline)	can make Depakote and Depakote ER less effective
felbamate (Felbatol)	—	can increase your risk of side effects from Depakote or Depakote ER
lamotrigine (Lamictal)	—	can raise your risk of side effects from lamotrigine
topiramate (Topamax)	—	can increase your risk of side effects from Depakote or Depakote ER
rufinamide (Banzel)	—	can raise your risk of side effects from rufinamide
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)		can make Depakote and Depakote ER less effective
tricyclic antidepressants	• amitriptyline • nortriptyline (Pamelor)	can increase your risk of side effects from amitriptyline and nortriptyline
clonazepam (Klonopin)	—	can cause prolonged seizures
diazepam (Valium)	—	can increase your risk of side effects from diazepam
propofol (Diprivan)	—	can raise your risk of side effects from propofol
warfarin (Jantoven)	—	can increase your risk of bleeding or make warfarin less effective than usual
lorazepam (Ativan)	—	can raise your risk of side effects from lorazepam

Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Depakote and Depakote ER.

Interaction with Lamictal

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can interact with Depakote and Depakote ER. Lamotrigine is a drug prescribed to treat bipolar disorder and certain kinds of seizures.

Doctors may prescribe lamotrigine along with Depakote or Depakote ER to treat these conditions.

What could happen

Depakote or Depakote ER can make your body get rid of lamotrigine more slowly. This can cause lamotrigine to build up in your body, which could raise your risk of serious side effects from lamotrigine. Examples include serious skin side effects such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

For more information about lamotrigine’s skin-related side effects, see this article.

What you can do

It’s important to let your doctor know about all the medications you take before you start treatment with Depakote, Depakote ER, or lamotrigine.

If your doctor prescribes lamotrigine and you’re already taking Depakote or Depakote ER, they’ll likely prescribe a lower dose of lamotrigine. If you start Depakote or Depakote ER while you’re already taking lamotrigine, your doctor may need to adjust your lamotrigine dosage.

If you stop taking Depakote or Depakote ER during your lamotrigine treatment, you may need a lamotrigine dosage increase.

If you have questions about taking lamotrigine with Depakote, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Interaction with birth control that contains estrogen

Certain kinds of birth control have the hormone estrogen in them. Estrogen interacts with Depakote and Depakote ER.

Many birth control pills contain a combination of hormones, which may include a type of estrogen.

Examples of hormonal birth control pills with estrogen include

• ethinyl estradiol, levonorgestrel (Aviane, Nordette, Seasonique)
• ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone (Balziva, Necon 0.5/35, Loestrin)
• ethinyl estradiol, norgestimate (Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, Ortho-Cyclen, Sprintec)
• ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone (Gianvi, Ocella, Yasmin)

What could happen

Estrogen in birth control can lower the levels of Depakote or Depakote ER in your body. If this happens, Depakote or Depakote ER may be less effective. If you take these medications to manage seizures, taking birth control with estrogen may raise your risk of having seizures.

What you can do

Before you start treatment with Depakote or Depakote ER, tell your doctor if you take birth control. Also, let your doctor know if you start taking any new drugs, including birth control, while you’re taking Depakote or Depakote ER.

If you start taking birth control with estrogen during your Depakote or Depakote ER treatment, your doctor will likely monitor your levels of valproic acid (the active drug in Depakote and Depakote ER). They may adjust your Depakote or Depakote ER dosage if needed.

Interaction with certain other seizure drugs

Your doctor may prescribe other seizure medications with Depakote or Depakote ER to help manage your seizures. But some of these drugs may interact with Depakote or Depakote ER.

Interactions may increase your risk of side effects from either drug. They may also make Depakote and Depakote ER less effective.

What could happen

Some seizure medications can decrease the level of Depakote or Depakote ER in your body. This can make Depakote or Depakote ER less effective than usual.

Examples of seizure drugs that may lower Depakote or Depakote ER levels include:

• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• primidone (Mysoline)

Other seizure drugs, such as felbamate (Felbatol) and topiramate (Topamax), can interfere with how your body breaks down Depakote or Depakote ER. Taking these drugs together can raise the levels of Depakote or Depakote ER in your body. It could also raise your risk of side effects from Depakote or Depakote ER.

Depakote or Depakote ER can also increase the levels of certain other seizure drugs in your body. These include phenytoin (Dilantin), ethosuximide (Zarontin), and lamotrigine (Lamictal). To learn more about the interaction between Depakote or Depakote ER and lamotrigine, see the “Interaction with Lamictal” section above.

Taking Depakote or Depakote ER with phenytoin or lamotrigine may increase your risk of side effects from lamotrigine or phenytoin.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor about any medications you take before you start treatment with Depakote or Depakote ER. Also, let them know if you start or stop taking any other seizure medications during your treatment. Your doctor may adjust your dosages if needed.

Depakote and Depakote ER may have other interactions. They could occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, or even lab tests. See below for details. Note that the information below does not include all other possible interactions with Depakote and Depakote ER.

Do Depakote and Depakote ER interact with food?

There are currently no reports of Depakote or Depakote ER interacting with food.

But caffeine, which is found in certain foods and drinks such as coffee, chocolate, and tea, may worsen some side effects of Depakote or Depakote ER.

These side effects can include:

• nervousness
• insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• tremor

Although there are no reported interactions between Depakote and caffeine, you may want to avoid foods and drinks with caffeine while you’re taking Depakote or Depakote ER.

If you have questions about consuming certain foods or drinks during your treatment with Depakote or Depakote ER, talk with your doctor.

Do Depakote and Depakote ER interact with supplements?

There aren’t any supplements that have been reported to interact with Depakote or Depakote ER. But it’s possible that interactions could be identified in the future.

Because of this, it’s important to talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take before you start taking Depakote or Depakote ER. Sharing this information with them may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Depakote and Depakote ER and herbs

There are currently no reports of Depakote or Depakote ER interacting with herbs. But this doesn’t mean that interactions with herbs won’t be recognized in the future.

For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Depakote or Depakote ER.

Depakote and Depakote ER and vitamins

There are currently no reports of Depakote and Depakote ER interacting with vitamins. But this doesn’t mean that vitamin interactions won’t be recognized in the future.

For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Depakote and Depakote ER.

Do Depakote and Depakote ER interact with vaccines?

Depakote and Depakote ER aren’t known to interact with vaccines. If you have questions about receiving vaccines while taking Depakote or Depakote ER, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do Depakote and Depakote ER interact with lab tests?

Depakote and Depakote ER may affect the results of certain lab tests.

For example, your body clears Depakote or Depakote ER as a ketone product in your urine. High urine ketone level can be a sign of high blood sugar levels.

Urine ketone tests are often used to check blood sugar in people with diabetes. So, taking Depakote or Depakote ER may cause urine ketone test results to appear falsely positive for high blood sugar.

Depakote and Depakote ER may also affect the results of thyroid function tests. These are tests used to check how your thyroid is working.

In some cases, Depakote and Depakote ER may increase the amount of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) present in a lab test. These lab tests are used to test how well drugs used to treat these conditions are working.

Do Depakote and Depakote ER interact with cannabis or CBD?

Cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been specifically reported to interact with Depakote and Depakote ER.

Cannabis can increase Depakote and Depakote ER levels in your body which may increase your risk of side effects from Depakote or Depakote ER. These side effects can include elevated liver enzyme levels, which can be a sign of liver damage.

Cannabis, Depakote, and Depakote ER can also cause drowsiness. Taking these drugs together may increase your risk of or worsen this side effect.

Before you start treatment with Depakote or Depakote ER, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Depakote or Depakote ER. Before taking either of these drugs, talk with your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Depakote or Depakote ER is right for you.

Health conditions or other factors that might interact with Depakote or Depakote ER include:

Liver problems. Depakote and Depakote ER can cause serious liver damage. Your risk may be higher if you’ve had liver problems in the past. The drugs have a boxed warning about this side effect. For more information, see the “Boxed warnings” section above.

Urea cycle disorders. Taking Depakote or Depakote ER if you have a urea cycle disorder can raise your risk of having elevated ammonia levels. Because of this, doctors typically will not prescribe Depakote or Depakote ER if you have this condition. To learn more, see the “When should I avoid Depakote or Depakote ER?” section above.

Mitochondrial disorders. Certain mitochondrial disorders can increase your risk of liver damage from Depakote or Depakote ER. (Mitochondrial disorders are rare conditions caused by gene mutations affecting the mitochondria.) Due to this risk, doctors typically don’t prescribe Depakote or Depakote ER if you have this kind of condition. For more details, see the “When should I avoid Depakote or Depakote ER?” section above.

Problems with your digestive system. If you have problems with your digestive system, including having a colostomy, ileostomy, or diarrhea, talk with your doctor before taking Depakote or Depakote ER. Having these conditions may prevent your body from fully absorbing the drug, which could make it less effective. Talk with your doctor if you notice part of the tablet or capsule in your stool.

Older age. The risk of certain side effects, such as sleepiness, may be higher in people 65 years or older taking Depakote or Depakote ER. Due to this risk, doctors will likely prescribe a lower dosage of either drug for people in this age group.

Pregnancy. Depakote and Depakote ER are not safe to take during pregnancy. These drugs have a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. To learn more, see the “Boxed warnings” section above.

Breastfeeding. It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Depakote or Depakote ER while breastfeeding. But these drugs can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a breastfed child. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking Depakote or Depakote ER. They can discuss your options with you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Depakote or Depakote ER or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe these drugs. This is because taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Depression and other mental health conditions. Taking Depakote or Depakote ER can increase your risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you already have a mental health condition, such as depression, taking these drugs may raise your risk of having suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Or it could make this side effect worse if you do experience it.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start treatment with Depakote or Depakote ER. They can determine whether the drug is safe for you to take.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Was this helpful?

Find answers to some frequently asked questions about possible interactions with Depakote and Depakote ER.

Can you take ibuprofen with Depakote or Depakote ER?

Yes. There have been no reports of interactions between Depakote or Depakote ER and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

But it’s important to note that aspirin, another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) similar to ibuprofen, can interact with Depakote and Depakote ER. Taking aspirin with Depakote or Depakote ER can raise the level of Depakote or Depakote ER in your body. This may increase your risk of having side effects from Depakote or Depakote ER or make side effects worse if you experience them.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs. They’ll let you know if these drugs are safe to take with Depakote or Depakote ER.

Can you take lithium and Depakote together?

In many cases, yes. Doctors may prescribe lithium and Depakote together to treat bipolar disorder.

There are no reported interactions between lithium and Depakote or Depakote ER. But these drugs may have some similar side effects. Taking them together can raise your risk of having these side effects or make the side effects worse if you experience them.

They can include:

• dizziness
• nausea
• blurry vision

If you have concerns about taking lithium and Depakote together, talk with your doctor. They’ll let you know if these medications are safe for you to take together.

Does Depakote or Depakote interact with Wellbutrin?

No. There have not been any reported interactions between bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Depakote or Depakote ER.

But it’s important to note that Wellbutrin should not be prescribed for people who’ve had seizures before. This is because taking Wellbutrin can increase your risk of having seizures. So, if you take Depakote or Depakote ER to treat seizures, your doctor may not prescribe Wellbutrin for you.

If you take Wellbutrin and Depakote or Depakote ER to treat bipolar disorder, tell your doctor right away if you have a seizure while taking these medications. They may have you stop taking Wellbutrin and switch to a different treatment.

Does Depakote or Depakote ER interact with Zyprexa?

No, there are no reported interactions between olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Depakote or Depakote ER.

But these drugs can cause similar side effects, such as the following:

• nausea
• headache
• weight gain

Taking these medications together can raise your risk of these side effects or make the side effects worse if you experience them.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking Depakote or Depakote ER with Zyprexa.

Taking certain steps can help you avoid interactions with Depakote or Depakote ER. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Things to discuss with them include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications you take. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Depakote or Depakote ER treatment.

It’s also important to read Depakote or Depakote ER’s label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. You may see colored stickers on the label that describe interactions. And the paperwork (sometimes called the patient package insert or medication guide) may have other details about interactions. (If you did not get paperwork with Depakote and Depakote ER, ask your pharmacist to print a copy for you.) If you need help understanding this information, your doctor or pharmacist can help.

Taking Depakote or Depakote ER exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

If you still have questions about possible interactions with Depakote or Depakote ER, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of Depakote or Depakote ER?
• Do I need to space out when I take my medications throughout the day to avoid interactions?
• Does lithium have similar interactions to Depakote and Depakote ER?

To learn more about Depakote and Depakote ER, see these articles:

• Depakote and Depakote ER (divalproex sodium)
• Side Effects of Depakote and Depakote ER: What You Need to Know
• Dosage Details for Depakote and Depakote ER

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Depakote and Alcohol/Food Interactions – Drugs.com

Print

Save

There is 1 alcohol/food/lifestyle interaction with Depakote (divalproex sodium).

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of divalproex sodium such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with divalproex sodium. Do not use more than the recommended dose of divalproex sodium, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Switch to professional interaction data

Depakote drug interactions

There are 380 drug interactions with Depakote (divalproex sodium).

Depakote disease interactions

There are 8 disease interactions with Depakote (divalproex sodium) which include:

• depression
• liver disease
• urea cycle disorders
• suicidal tendency
• HIV/CMV
• thrombocytopenia
• thyroid function tests
• urine ketone test

Report options

Loading. ..

QR code containing a link to this page

More about Depakote (divalproex sodium)

• Depakote consumer information
• Check interactions
• Compare alternatives
• Pricing & coupons
• Reviews (321)
• Drug images
• Side effects
• Dosage information
• Patient tips
• During pregnancy
• Generic availability
• Support group
• Drug class: fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants
• Breastfeeding
• En español

Related treatment guides

• Mania
• Bipolar Disorder
• Epilepsy
• Migraine Prevention

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.

Major	Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate	Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor	Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown	No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Alcohol and medicines – Alkoinfo.ee

If a person does not recognize the problem himself, it is difficult to send him for treatment. There are certain criteria for referral to compulsory treatment.

Law on Psychiatric Care, § 11. Involuntary and unavoidable psychiatric care, states that
(1) Without the consent of the person or his legal representative, a person is sent to the psychiatric department of a hospital for treatment under the procedure of emergency psychiatric care, or treatment is continued regardless of his will (hereinafter referred to as compulsory treatment). ), only if the following circumstances occur together:
1) the person has a severe mental disorder that limits their ability to understand or control their behaviour;
2) by not being treated in a hospital, a person endangers the life, health or safety of himself or other persons due to a mental disorder;
3) other psychiatric care is not enough.

In case of delirium, an ambulance can be called. A person is admitted to the hospital if he is dangerous, and even then he can be kept there for 48 hours without a court order. Just because a person drinks, one cannot treat him against his will. Unfortunately, this is the bitter truth. Often, simply spending some time sober in a hospital is not enough to treat an alcohol use disorder (dependence). It is a lifelong condition that requires long-term treatment, sometimes even years, before a person can remain sober. Even if your family member sobers up, it takes willpower to stay sober. Here we come to a person’s own intrinsic motivation, which is the basis for maintaining sobriety in the future. You can do your best, but if the family member does not take responsibility and sees the need to change their drinking, the help provided will only be temporary and will not produce the desired result.
To increase motivation and understand the severity of the problem, you can talk to a family member who drinks about how you and others feel about his drinking and how it affects you. This should be done in a calm tone, avoiding accusations, nit-picking, threats and moralizing. You must speak when a family member is sober. Try to choose a time and place where you can talk calmly and have enough time. If he notices the attack, he may tell you that this is not a problem for him, or he may act aggressively and make excuses. Unfortunately, you cannot force a member of your family to go to treatment. However, you can try to motivate him. You can also read about how to talk to him about it and express your concerns here.

If a family member does not want help, you can take care of yourself and save yourself. You can read about how to deal with what is happening to you here.

There are also self-help groups for loved ones whose family members abuse alcohol. For more information and help, contact the Al-Anon Family Group, which is a fellowship of relatives and friends of people who abuse alcohol, whose members share their experience, strength, and hope for solving common problems.

Anyone who suffers or has suffered because a loved one abuses alcohol can join the group. Additional Information.

You can also read more about alcohol on the Alkoinfo website to better understand the nature of the alcohol disorder. On this website, you will also find treatment options and contacts to contact if a family member wishes to receive assistance.
Good luck!

Valproic Acid and Derivatives | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Adult Medication

Share

This document, provided by Lexicomp ^® , contains all the information you need to know about this medicine, including indications, directions for use, side effects, and when your healthcare provider should be contacted.

Trade names: USA

Depacon [DSC]; Depakene [DSC]; Depakote; Depakote ER; Depakote Sprinkles

Trade names: Canada

APO-Divalproex; APO-Valproic Acid; Depakene; epival; MYLAN-Divalproex; PMS-Valproic; PMS-Valproic Acid; SANDOZ Valproic [DSC]; TEVA-Divalproex [DSC]

Warning

All Forms:

• The use of this drug was accompanied by violations of the liver. In some cases, these violations have led to death. In most cases, liver problems occurred within the first 6 months after starting this drug. Sometimes problems do not improve after stopping treatment with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you develop signs of liver problems such as dark urine, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea or abdominal pain, light-colored stools, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes. In patients suffering from seizures, there may be a loss of control over seizures.
• Perform blood tests as directed by your doctor. Consult with your doctor.
• The risk of life-threatening liver problems is increased in children under 2 years of age. The risk is highest in patients taking more than 1 anti-seizure drug or who have a metabolic disorder, severe epilepsy with mental retardation, or congenital brain disease. Consult your doctor.
• Patients with a genetic liver disorder are at an increased risk of developing liver failure due to a mitochondrial disorder such as Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. You may need genetic testing to detect this disease. If you have or may have mitochondrial disorders, do not take this drug without talking to your doctor.
• This drug can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It can also lower your child’s IQ and may increase the risk of autism or ADHD. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, check with your doctor to make sure this drug is right for you. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this drug. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, contact your doctor immediately.
• Do not take this migraine prevention drug if you are pregnant or not using birth control to prevent pregnancy.
• This drug can cause very serious and sometimes deadly problems with the pancreas (pancreatitis). Such a danger exists both at the very beginning of taking the drug, and many years after its use. Symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite. If any of these symptoms occur, contact your doctor immediately.

All oral preparations:

• This drug comes with a separate patient information leaflet called Patient Drug Information. Read it carefully each time you take this drug. If you have any questions about this drug, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professional.

What is this drug used for?

• Used to treat seizures.
• It is used to prevent migraine.
• Used to treat bipolar disorder.
• This drug may also be used for other indications. Consult your doctor.

What should I tell my doctor BEFORE taking this drug?

• If you have an allergy to this drug, any of its ingredients, other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor about your allergies and how they have manifested.
• If you have any of the following health problems: liver disease or a urea cycle disorder.

This list of drugs and conditions that may interfere with this drug is not all-inclusive.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you take (prescription and over-the-counter, natural products and vitamins) and any health problems you have. You need to make sure that this drug is safe for your conditions and in combination with other drugs you are already taking. Do not start or stop taking any drug or change the dosage without your doctor’s advice.

What do I need to know or do while taking this drug?

For all uses of this drug:

• Tell all your health care workers that you are taking this drug. These are doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dentists.
• Avoid driving or doing other tasks or jobs that require alertness or keen eyesight until you know how this drug affects you.
• Perform blood tests as directed by your doctor. Consult with your doctor.
• Check with your doctor before using alcohol, marijuana or other forms of cannabis, or prescription or over-the-counter drugs that can slow you down.
• This drug may affect the results of some lab tests. Tell all your health care workers and laboratory staff that you are taking this drug.
• If you are unable to eat or drink as usual, please consult your physician. This includes illness, fasting, certain procedures, or surgery.
• Some brands of this drug contain peanut butter. If you are allergic to peanuts, ask your pharmacist to test this brand of product for peanut oil content.
• There is an increased chance of bleeding. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• This drug has been associated with increased levels of ammonia in the blood. This can lead to certain brain disorders. Some fatalities. Consult your doctor.
• In some individuals, certain brain disorders were not accompanied by an increase in the level of ammonia in the blood. In some cases, these brain disorders resolved after discontinuation of treatment with this drug. However, in some cases they did not go completely. Consult your doctor.
• There was a serious reaction that could be deadly. In most cases, this reaction was accompanied by symptoms such as fever, rash, inflammation of the lymph nodes, and dysfunction of various organs such as the liver, kidneys, blood, heart, muscles, joints and lungs. If you have any questions, please consult your doctor.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, use this drug with caution. You may experience more side effects.
• This drug may affect a man’s ability to have a child. Consult your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is necessary to consult whether the drug poses any risk to the child.

Anti-seizure:

• Talk to your doctor if your seizures change or get worse after you start taking this drug.

What side effects should I report to my doctor immediately?

WARNING. In rare cases, this drug can cause serious and sometimes deadly side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor or seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be associated with serious side effects:

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, hives, itching, red and swollen skin with blisters or peeling, possibly accompanied by fever, wheezing or wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing, swallowing or speaking, unusual hoarseness, swelling in the mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, very bad pain in the throat, ear, or sinuses, cough, more sputum or change in color, pain when urinating, mouth sores, or a sore that doesn’t heal.
• Signs of high ammonia levels such as irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, confusion, pale skin, bradycardia, seizures, sweating, vomiting, or muscle twitches.
• Chest pain.
• Swelling of the hands or feet.
• Vision change.
• Impairment or loss of memory.
• Balance change.
• Difficulties with walking.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• The appearance of purple spots on the skin or redness of the skin.
• Difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine produced.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Pain or inflammation in the joints.
• Shiver.
• Loss of control over eye movements.
• Tinnitus.
• Chills.
• Like other seizure medicines, this medicine can rarely increase the risk of suicidal ideation or behavior. This risk may be higher in people who have tried or had suicidal thoughts in the past. Call your doctor right away if you develop or worsen symptoms such as depression, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, panic attacks, or other mood or behavioral disturbances. If you have suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide, contact your doctor immediately.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

Any medicine can have side effects. However, for many people, side effects are either minor or non-existent. Contact your doctor or seek medical attention if these or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite.
• Increased appetite.
• Feeling dizzy, drowsy, tired or weak.
• Sleep disorders.
• Weight gain or loss.
• Hair loss.
• Nervous tension and agitation.
• Flu-like symptoms.

This list of possible side effects is not exhaustive. If you have any questions about side effects, please contact your doctor. Talk to your doctor about side effects.

You can report side effects to the National Health Board.

You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You can also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What is the best way to take this drug?

Use this drug as directed by your doctor. Read all the information provided to you. Strictly follow all instructions.

All oral preparations:

• Take with or without food. Take with food if medicine causes nausea.
• Keep taking this drug as instructed by your doctor or other health care professional, even if you feel well.
• Do not stop taking this drug abruptly without consulting your doctor. This can increase the risk of seizures. If necessary, taking this drug should be stopped gradually, in accordance with the doctor’s instructions.
• If you are taking cholestyramine, you may need to take it at a different time from when you take this drug. Consult with a pharmacist.

Tablets and capsules:

• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break or crush.
• Take this drug with a full glass of water.
• If you have difficulty swallowing, check with your doctor.

Long acting tablets:

• If you see particles of this drug in your stool, contact your doctor.

Split capsule:

• You can swallow the capsule whole or mix the contents of the capsule with certain foods such as applesauce. Take the mixture immediately. Do not store for future use.
• The mixture should not be chewed.
• If you see particles of this drug in your stool, contact your doctor.

Liquid:

• Liquid doses should be measured with caution. Use the dispenser that comes with the medication. If the dispenser is not provided in the package, ask the pharmacist for a dosing agent for this drug.

Injection:

• This drug is administered by infusion intravenously continuously for a certain time.

What if I miss a dose of a drug?

All oral preparations:

• Take the missed dose as soon as you can.
• If it’s time for your next dose, don’t take the missed dose and then go back to your regular dosing schedule.
• Do not take 2 doses or an additional dose at the same time.

Injection:

• See your doctor for further instructions.

How do I store and/or discard this drug?

All oral preparations:

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in the bathroom.

Injection:

• If you need to store this drug at home, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for storage conditions.

All forms:

• Keep all medicines in a safe place. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children and pets.
• Dispose of unused or expired drugs. Do not empty into a toilet or sewer unless instructed to do so. If you have any questions about disposing of medicines, ask your pharmacist. Drug disposal programs may be in place in your area.

General information about medicines

• If your health does not improve or even worsens, see your doctor.
• Do not give your medicine to anyone and do not take other people’s medicines.
• Some medicines may come with other patient information leaflets. If you have questions about this drug, talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional.
• Some medicines may come with other patient information leaflets. Check with your pharmacist. If you have questions about this drug, talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional.
• If you think you have overdosed, call a poison control center or get medical help right away. Be prepared to tell or show what drug you took, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Use of Information and Limitation of Liability

This summary information includes a summary of the diagnosis, treatment and/or drug product. It is not intended to be a comprehensive source of data and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or evaluate potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a particular patient.