DEPAKOTE
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE
FOR, THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR
OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
INDICATE THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR
YOU. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING DEPAKOTE.
DIVALPROEX SODIUM - ORAL ENTERIC-COATED TABLET (dye-VAL-pro-ex SO-dee-um)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Depakote
WARNING:
Serious, even fatal, liver problems have occurred in patients using
DEPAKOTE. Children using DEPAKOTE who are under the age of 2 years
are at higher risk to experience liver problems, especially if they
also have a severe seizure disorder along with mental retardation;
are using more than one seizure control drug; have body process
(metabolic) problems or have brain disorders. If used in these
patients, DEPAKOTE must not be used with additional seizure control
drugs. Early signs of liver problems include loss of seizure
control, vomiting, unusual tiredness/weakness, loss of appetite,
yellowing eyes/skin, or swelling of the face. Contact your doctor
promptly if you develop any of these symptoms. Liver tests should be
run before and during use of the drug. Additionally, severe (even
fatal) pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) has occurred during use
of DEPAKOTE. It may progress quickly and may include abdominal pain,
nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Contact your doctor promptly
if you develop any of these symptoms. DEPAKOTE may cause birth
defects. Consult your doctor about the use of DEPAKOTE during
pregnancy.
USES:
DEPAKOTE is used to treat seizure disorders, the manic stage of
manic-depressive disorder (bipolar disorder) and to prevent migraine
headaches.
HOW TO TAKE DEPAKOTE:
May be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. DEPAKOTE should be
swallowed whole. If chewed or crushed it may irritate the mouth or
throat. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the level
of medication in your blood constant. Take doses at evenly spaced
intervals.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Mild stomach pain, loss of appetite, change in menstrual periods,
diarrhea, mild hair loss, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, rash
or headache might occur. If any of these effects continue or are
bothersome, inform your doctor. Very unlikely but report yellowing
eye/skin, unusual weakness, vomiting, mood or mental changes,
blurred or double vision, severe stomach pain or unusual bleeding or
bruising. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your
doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS:
Before you take DEPAKOTE, tell your doctor if you have liver
disease, a bleeding disorder, a history of a brain disorder,
pancreatitis, and of any allergies. Use caution driving motor
vehicles or performing tasks that require alertness. Limit your
consumption of alcoholic beverages. Before having surgery, including
dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take DEPAKOTE. DEPAKOTE may
interfere with urine ketone testing and give false positive results.
If very high sugar readings (e.g., over 300) are occurring, ketones
may be in your urine. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for further
advice. Use with extreme caution in children under 2 years old as
the potential for serious liver problems exist. DEPAKOTE is not
recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before
taking DEPAKOTE. Divalproex is excreted into human breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Be sure to tell your doctor of all over-the-counter or prescription
drugs you are taking, especially other medication for seizures (phenobarbital,
primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ethosuximide, clonazepam);
anticoagulants ("blood thinners"); aspirin,
chlorpromazine, cimetidine, mefloquine, drugs used for colds or
allergies (antihistamines), sleeping pills, muscle relaxants,
narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), sedatives or tranquilizers.
DEPAKOTE may alter certain laboratory test results (e.g., urine
ketones). Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop
any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center
or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include deep
sleep, irregular heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.
NOTES:
It is recommended to wear or carry medication identification
indicating you are taking DEPAKOTE. Lab tests may be done,
especially in the first few months to check if the drug is working
properly. Do not allow anyone else to take DEPAKOTE.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose and your dosing schedule is 1 dose daily, take
the missed dose as soon as remembered. If you do not remember until
the next day, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing
schedule. If you take 2 or more doses daily and you remember within
6 hours of the missed dose, take it immediately. Then take the
remainder of the doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do
not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15
and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in
the bathroom.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For
information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In
Canada call 1-800-668-1507.
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