Will I Have Withdrawal Symptoms If I Stop Taking Depakote Or Depakote Er
No, withdrawal symptoms havent been reported with Depakote tablets, ER tablets, or sprinkle capsules. These are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a medication your body is dependent on. Depakote and Depakote ER arent known to cause dependence or withdrawal.
But stopping Depakote or Depakote ER could cause symptoms of your condition to return. For example, if youre taking the drug to help prevent migraine headaches, stopping the medication could cause your migraine headaches to return.
Talk with your doctor if youre interested in stopping Depakote or Depakote ER. They can advise you on how to do it safely. They can also discuss other treatment options for your condition.
Learn more about some of the side effects Depakote and Depakote ER may cause.
What Depakote Does For The Brain
Divalproex sodium works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid 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. These impulses overstimulate the nerves. GABA helps to calm and relax nerves. Relaxing nerves can stabilize moods.
Increasing GABA can also prevent abnormal brain signals that lead to seizures.
What To Discuss With Your Doctor Before You Start Taking Depakote
Here are some of the things you need to discuss before taking Depakote:
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Other medication and supplements you are taking or planning to take. Depakote might interact with those medications and supplements and might result in other health problems or adverse effects.
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Your alcohol intake. Inform your physician of your history of substance abuse, if any.
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If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or currently breastfeeding.
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If you have liver problems or other health issues such as diabetes.
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If you are undergoing some form of therapy for any mental health condition.
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Your allergies to certain medications, if you have any.
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If you have a genetic disorder called urea cycle disorder.
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What If I Miss A Dose
If you miss your Depakote or Depakote ER dose, take it as soon as you remember. If its almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose. Dont take two doses at one time.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Depakote or Depakote ER on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Dont use more Depakote or Depakote ER than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.
What Are The Usual Dosages Of Depakote And Depakote Er
Usually, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then theyll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the lowest dosage that provides the desired effect.
Dosages for Depakote and Depakote ER are often based on body weight in kilograms .* For example, if your Depakote dose is 10 mg/kg, youll take 10 mg of the drug for every kg that you weigh.
Your doctor will usually begin with a starting dose thats low. Then theyll increase your dosage slowly, either until your condition is managed or you reach the highest dose thats safe to take.
The maximum dose for the drugs vary depending on the condition youre treating. But the maximum dose of Depakote is usually the same as the Depakote ER maximum dose. The dose youll take might end up a little different from the dose your doctor calculates for you. This is because these drugs are only available in certain strengths.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for adults. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Note: For childrens dosages, see Whats the pediatric dosage of Depakote and Depakote ER? below.
* One kg is about 2.2 pounds .
Dosage for episodes of mania related to bipolar disorder
Depakote and Depakote ER are used to treat mania related to bipolar disorder. Mania is a hyperactive, euphoric mood.
Dosage for seizures
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How Does Depakote Work To Treat Bipolar Disorder And Seizures
Depakote is a coordination compound that consists of sodium valproate and valproic acid.
It is an anticonvulsant medication and mood stabilizer used to treat several conditions including seizure disorders , acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder, and migraines
Depakote works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain.
This is the brains main inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means that it reduces the firing of neurons.
When receptors for GABA are activated by Depakote, neurons are quieter and thus elicit an antiseizure or other effects that reduce manic episodes from bipolar disorder and migraine headaches.
Valproic Acid And Breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy you can take valproic acid while breastfeeding.
Valproic acid passes into breast milk in small amounts but it’s unlikely to harm your baby so you can continue breastfeeding if your doctor says you need to take it.
If there’s a chance you could become pregnant while taking this medicine, your doctor will put you on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme. Your doctor may still recommend valproic acid if it is the only medicine that works for you.
Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first as your symptoms may get worse. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.
Talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if:
- your baby is not feeding as well as usual
- your baby is bruising more easily than usual
- the whites of your baby’s eyes turn yellow or your baby’s skin turns yellow , or your baby has dark pee or pale poo these can be signs of jaundice
- you have any other concerns about your baby
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Depakote Serious Side Effects
Taking Depakote has been linked to some serious and even deadly side effects.
Liver damage is one of the side effects that may be fatal. This is especially true in children under 2. This risk is highest in the first months of taking the medication. The risk may still be present even after the Depakote medication is stopped.
Another potentially fatal side effect is inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis. This is when digestive enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself.
Directions To Use Depakote For Bipolar Disorder
These are some directions to use Depakote for bipolar.
- You usually take Depakote as a single dose either in the morning or evening, with or without food. When Depakote medication is used to treat seizures, it must be taken every day in regularly spaced doses as ordered by your doctor.
- When Depakote was added to lithium and valproate treatment of epilepsy, withdrawal reactions were reported . Therefore, if you are also taking lithium and/or valproic acid, your doctor will probably reduce their dosage slowly when stopping this medicine .
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Potential Side Effects Of Depakote
Common side effects of Depakote include:
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Having a low blood platelet count
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Inflammation of the pancreas
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Increased ammonia in the body: High ammonia levels could result in confusion and thinking and concentration difficulties.
The occurrence of suicidal thoughts is uncommon among those who take antiepileptic drugs. One estimate¹ says 1/500 who take Depakote have this experience.
Valproid Acid And Pregnancy
Valproic acid is not recommended in pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects and problems with your baby’s learning and behaviour.
If there’s a chance you could become pregnant while taking this medicine, your doctor will put you on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme.
If you think you might already be pregnant, contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible.
If you’re taking valproic acid for epilepsy or bipolar disorder and you become pregnant, do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first. This is because your symptoms may get worse.
Your doctor may continue to prescribe valproic acid, but only if there’s no other suitable treatment for your epilepsy or bipolar disorder.
For pregnant women with recurrent migraine your doctor should offer you an alternative treatment to valproic acid.
You must have a review of your treatment every year. Contact your doctor or specialist now if you have not had one.
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How Do Mood Stabilizers Work For Bipolar Depression
Its not certain exactly how these medications work for mania or bipolar depression.
Its likely that the stabilization of membrane concentration gradients within the central nervous system stops charged particles from flowing down these gradients and inhibits neural impulse.
This theoretical principle explains the ability of these medications to modulate mood, but would also explain other clinical uses, such as seizure control or tapering from substances.
In bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers may help with depressive symptoms. They are sometimes combined with antidepressants, as long as the person is on a mood stabilizer to prevent episodes of mania or mixed episodes.
What Does Depakote Do To The Brain
Depakote works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain.
This is the brains main inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means that it reduces the firing of neurons.
When receptors for GABA are activated by Depakote, neurons are quieter and thus elicit an antiseizure or other effects that reduce manic episodes from bipolar disorder and migraine headaches.
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What Happens With Bipolar Disorder Epilepsy And Migraine
Bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraine are all neurological conditions, which means they affect your brain and nerves.
With bipolar disorder, you have alternating episodes of mania and depression .
With epilepsy, you have repeated seizures. With migraine, you have severe headaches, usually in addition to other symptoms such as vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound.
Its not fully understood what causes these conditions. But manic episodes, seizures, and migraine episodes occur because of excessive activity in nerve cells in certain parts of 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.
Depakote delayed-release sprinkle capsules should not be crushed or chewed. However, you can split these capsules open and sprinkle the contents onto a teaspoonful of soft food, such as applesauce. Swallow this right away, without crushing or chewing the contents. Another option is to swallow the capsules whole with water.
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Benefits Of Depakote For Bipolar
Depakote is a drug that is prescribed to people who have bipolar disorder. It is an anti-seizure medication that has been found to be effective in treating bipolar disorder. Some of the benefits of Depakote for bipolar include:
- Reducing the number of manic and depressive episodes a person experiences
- Helping to stabilize moods
- Reducing the risk of suicide
- Improving overall functioning and quality of life
If you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, talk to your doctor about whether Depakote may be right for you. It is important to remember that while Depakote can be effective in treating bipolar disorder, it is not a cure. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for bipolar disorder, so it is important to work with your doctor to find the best treatment plan for you.
Depakote And Depakote Er For The Treatment Of Certain Types Of Seizures
Depakote delayed-release tablets, Depakote delayed-release sprinkle capsules, and Depakote ER tablets are FDA-approved to treat certain types of seizures that occur with epilepsy:
- complex partial seizures
- simple and complex absence seizures
For this use, Depakote and Depakote ER may be used alone or in combination with other seizure medications. The drugs are approved for use in adults and children ages 10 years and older.
Complex partial seizures and absence seizures may occur on their own or with other types of seizures.
Note: Depakote and Depakote ER have some limitations of use. These drugs can cause fetal harm. People with bipolar disorder who are pregnant or could become pregnant should not take Depakote or Depakote ER unless other medications are unsuitable. For more information, see the Depakote and Depakote ER and pregnancy section below.
Depakote and Depakote ER have a for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
About epilepsy and complex partial seizures
Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated seizures due to excessive electrical activity in certain parts of your brain. The type of seizure depends on the part of the brain thats affected.
Symptoms of complex partial seizures may include:
With a complex partial seizure, youre typically unaware of the seizure or your surroundings and unable to respond to others. After the seizure, you may be confused or sleepy, and you may not remember the seizure.
- staring blankly
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Are There Side Effects From Stopping Depakote Or Depakote Er Can You Stop These Drugs Cold Turkey
Stopping Depakote or Depakote ER treatment shouldnt cause side effects. These medications dont cause dependence, and withdrawal symptoms havent 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.
However, stopping Depakote or Depakote ER treatment could make your manic episode, seizures, or migraine come back or worsen. For this reason, you should not stop taking Depakote or Depakote ER unless its recommended by your doctor. This is very important if you have epilepsy, because suddenly ending treatment could cause seizures that wont stop.
If youre interested in stopping treatment with Depakote or Depakote ER, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on how to do it safely. They may also recommend switching to a different medication.
* To learn about other side effects from Depakote and Depakote ER, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also view the prescribing information for Depakote delayed-release tablets, Depakote delayed-release sprinkle capsules, or Depakote ER tablets.
Digestive Side Effects Such As Nausea And Constipation
Digestive side effects are possible with Depakote and Depakote ER. These may include:
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were some of the more common side effects of Depakote and Depakote ER.
What might help
Contact your doctor if you have digestive side effects while taking Depakote or Depakote ER. They can suggest treatment depending on the symptoms you have. If you have symptoms that bother you or dont go away, your doctor may suggest a different treatment for your condition.
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Depakote And Depakote Er For The Prevention Of Migraine
Depakote delayed-release tablets and Depakote ER tablets are FDA-approved to help prevent migraine in adults.*
Note: Depakote and Depakote ER have some limitations of use. These drugs can cause fetal harm. People with bipolar disorder who are pregnant or could become pregnant should not take Depakote or Depakote ER unless other medications are unsuitable. For more information, see the Depakote and Depakote ER and pregnancy section below.
* Depakote delayed-release sprinkle capsules are not FDA-approved for use in bipolar disorder. Depakote and Depakote ER have a for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
About migraine
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes severe, long-lasting headaches, often in combination with other symptoms. People who have migraine typically find that certain factors trigger migraine episodes. These triggers may include certain foods, hormonal changes, stress, bright lights, lack of sleep, and low blood sugar.
Symptoms of migraine may include:
- severe throbbing or pounding headache, typically affecting one side of the head
- nausea and vomiting
- increased sensitivity to light and sound
- an aura before or during the headache, which may cause changes in vision, tingling sensations, or speech problems
Migraine can last for hours or days. After a migraine episode, you may feel wiped out for a few days as you recover. As a result, migraine episodes can have a significant impact on your life.
Depakote And Depakote Er And Breastfeeding
Its not known if its safe to breastfeed while taking Depakote or Depakote ER. The medications can pass into breast milk and could cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.
If youre breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child while taking Depakote or Depakote ER.
If you decide to breastfeed, talk with your doctor right away if your child develops symptoms that could be side effects of Depakote or Depakote ER. These symptoms can include unusual bruising or bleeding, and jaundice.
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Predictors Of Worsening Of Depressive Symptoms
Worsening of depressive symptoms was positively related to the lifetime number of manic episodes and the number of psychiatric hospitalizations . It was negatively related to baseline DSS score . Therefore, the more manic episodes or hospitalizations patients had in their lifetime, the more likely they were to experience worsening of depressive symptoms during the maintenance phase. The mean DSS scores increased more among lithium-treated than in divalproex-treated patients .