Depakote

Its chemical name is sodium hydrogen bis (2-propylpentanoate). The extended release formulation allows for a single daily dose. Depakote is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. In the United States this medicine is used for the treatment of themanic episodes of bipolar disorder. A person with bipolar disorder tends to experience more extreme states of mood than others, which may change quickly or last for months. Mood patterns of this nature are associated with distress, disruption, and a relatively high risk of suiside. It is also used for the treatment of epilepsy, chronic pain associated with neuropathy, and migraine headache. Depakote is sometimes used together with other seizure medications.

Patients taking Depakote report some side effects, which may or may not need immediate medical attention. Dangerous side effects include vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, or dark urine. These suggest a possibility of damage to the liver. Some serious side effects of Depakote are unusual bleeding in the urine, hallucinations, and extreme drowsiness.

Branded Formulations are: United States - Depakote® and Depakote ER® (Extended Release) by Abbot Laboratories. Canada - Epival® by Abbot Laboratories. United Kingdom - Depakote® by Sanofi Aventis. Brazil - Depakote® by Abbot Laboratories.

Depakote has been reported to cause life-threatening liver failure in children with brain disease, brain injury, multiple sclerosos or metabolic disorder. Moreover, Depakote has also caused in very rare cases of life-threatening pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. Medical practioners recommend to carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking Depakote, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking Depakote. Depakote must be stored at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for next dose, then skip it and take the next dose intime. If you overdose, take the help of medical assistant immediately. Symptoms of a Depakote overdose may include shallow breathing, weak pulse, sleepiness, drowsiness even loss of consciousness may occur.

Side Effects of Depakote could be: If the person taking this medicine has symptoms of low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or loss of appetite, the patient must be immediately referred to physician. These symptoms could be signs of liver damage too. Some of these symptoms may also be early signs of pancreatitis. This medication is not recommended to patients who intend to or are pregnant.

Do not use Depakote without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Depakote passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing infant. To prevent seizures from occuring, Depakote must be continued, even if the patient feels better. The pill is to be swallowed as a whole. It must not be crushed, chewed or open the capsule. This will release too much of drug at one time. Wear or carry a bracelet for medical alert if taking Depakote. Do not take sleep drugs as it will add to sleepiness caused by Depakote. Do not take Depakote if you have liver disease or a urea cycle disorder.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of water while you are taking this medication. Do not take the medication in larger amounts than prescribed. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Drinking alcohol may increase some of the side effects of Depakote, therefore avoid it. Medicines that cause sleepy feeling, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety be avoided as they add to sleepiness caused by Depakote. Exercise caution while driving or doing anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Seek emergency medical attention if the person taking this medicine has stomach pain, or loss of appetite, low fever, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice. These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage.

Many web surfers look for information on Depakote by the words: depakote and weight gain, pregnant on depakote, tapering off depakote, depakote for migraines, depakote, depakote er, depakote side effects, depakote withdrawal, depakote bipolar, dangers side effects depakote, depakote in semen, depakote osteoporosis, how appropriate is depakote, free depakote, side effects of depakote, free depakote etc.