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Divalproex by Pro Doc

Common Name

divalproex

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Divalproex belongs to the family of medications called anticonvulsants. It is used to manage and control of certain types of seizures. It can be used alone or in combination with other seizure control medications. It is also used for people 18 years of age and older with manic depression (bipolar disorder) to treat manic episodes.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

This medication is available as 125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg enteric coated tablets.

How should I use this medication?

The recommended adult dose of divalproex to treat seizures is based on weight and the final dose is determined by control of seizures with minimal side effects. The recommended initial dosage is 15 mg per kg of body weight per day. Your doctor may then suggest increasing at one-week intervals by 5 to 10 mg per kg of body weight per day until seizures are controlled or side effects prevent further increases. The maximum recommended dosage is 60 mg per kg of body weight per day.

When taken to treat manic episodes, the starting dose is 250 mg 3 times daily.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

When the dose of divalproex increases above 250 mg per day, it should be taken in divided doses.

The tablets should be swallowed whole and can be taken with or without food. This medication should not be stopped suddenly due to the possibility of a rebound major seizure.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Do not take divalproex if you:

• are allergic to valproic acid, divalproex, or any ingredients of the medication
• have been diagnosed with a urea cycle disorder
• have liver disease or a significant reduction in liver function

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

abdominal or stomach cramps (mild) change in menstrual periods clumsiness or unsteadiness constipation or diarrhea dizziness drowsiness dry eyes dry skin ear pain eye pain flatulence (gas)

hair loss headache indigestion or heartburn loss of appetite nausea and vomiting skin rash trembling of hands and arms unusual excitement, restlessness, or irritability unusual weight loss or gain

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• continuous, uncontrolled "back and forth" or rolling eye movements
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
• increase in seizures
• signs of bleeding, e.g.:
  • blood in urine
  • bloody nose
  • coughing blood
  • cuts that don't stop bleeding
• signs of depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide) or other mood changes
• signs of fluid retention (e.g., rapid weight gain and swelling of face or extremities)
• signs of liver problems, e.g.:
  • dark urine
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • pale stools
  • vomiting
  • weight loss
  • yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• signs of pancreatitis, e.g.
  • abdominal pain on the upper left side
  • back pain
  • chills
  • fever
  • nausea
  • rapid heartbeat
  • swollen abdomen
• unexplained tiredness and weakness
• vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, double-vision, spots before eyes)

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe skin reactions on a large area of the body or on the lips (e.g., ulcers, blisters, pain, redness, skin peeling)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (i.e., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting , or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Blood counts: This medication can decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection) and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do regular blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat) or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor immediately.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: This medication may cause drowsiness, especially when combined with alcohol or another sedating medication. Avoid driving or other potentially dangerous activities until you determine how this medication affects you.

Kidney disease: If you have kidney disease discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver failure has occurred infrequently for people taking divalproex. In most cases, this has happened during the first 6 months of treatment. The risk is highest for children under the age of 2 years, especially those who take more than one antiseizure medication, or those who have certain medical conditions (e.g., metabolic disorders and brain disease). Children aged 3 to 10 years are also at a higher risk if they take more than one antiseizure medication.

The following symptoms may appear before serious liver problems develop; if they do, contact your doctor at once.

• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• loss of seizure control
• malaise
• vomiting
• weakness

Your doctor may also perform liver function tests regularly to monitor the function of your liver.

Pancreatitis: People taking divalproex have experienced life-threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). These cases have occurred shortly after starting the medication and after several years of taking the medication. If you experience symptoms of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen), seek immediate medical attention.

Stopping this medication: People who need this medication to prevent major seizures should not stop taking it suddenly as this can increase the risk of getting seizures. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting with your doctor first.

Pregnancy: In the stomach, divalproex breaks down into a substance called valproate (also known as valproic acid), which has been linked to an increased risk of birth defects, including neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida). This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking divalproex, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: If divalproex is taken by children 2 years old or younger, it should not be used in combination with other antiseizure medications and the doctor should monitor the child regularly. Divalproex is not recommended for treatment of mania in children under 18 years of age.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between divalproex and any of the following:

alcohol antipsychotic medications (e.g., haloperidol, perphenazine) ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) benzodiazepines (e.g., clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam) carbamazepine cholestyramine chlorpromazine cimetidine ethosuximide felbamate lamotrigine lithium

MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) meropenem phenobarbital phenytoin primidone rifampin SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline) tolbutamide topiramate tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline) warfarin zidovudine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

All material © 1996-2013 MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.