Depakote Medication/Drug

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Depakote®

Depakote® (Divalproex sodium) Drug Uses

Depakote® has a number of uses, including the treatment of:

• Epileptic seizures (when combined with proper diet and exercise)
• Mania in people with bipolar disorder
• Aggression in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who have trouble sitting still in situations when most other children can
• Chorea (uncontrollable movement)
• Certain disorders that affect a child’s ability to understand, think, and learn

Important Information About Depakote®

Depakote can severely harm the liver, sometimes doing lifetime damage. This risk is particularly likely in patients younger than two years old; in people who are on more than a single medication to control their seizures; or in those who have any of the following disorders:

• A severe seizure disorder combined with mental retardation
• Some genetic diseases that keep the body from metabolizing or converting food to energy
• Liver disease
• Any condition that affects a person’s ability to think, learn or understand

If you or your child has any of the above conditions, it is important to tell the doctor about them. In addition, a child should not be on any other medication for seizures while taking Depakote®.

It is essential to contact the doctor immediately if any of the following occur:

• Seizures become more severe or more frequent
• Excess fatigue
• Low energy
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting
• Facial swelling

These could be signs of a serious reaction to the medication.

The pancreas is also at a serious risk for being damaged. The doctor should be contacted if the patient experiences abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite. It is also essential to keep all laboratory and doctor appointments so that he or she can closely monitor you.

Who Should Not Take Depakote®?

Pregnant women should not take Depakote®. Depakote® might increase the risk of birth defects if taken while pregnant, so it is very important to talk to the doctor immediately if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Side Effects of Depakote®

If the following side effects don’t stop, the patient should call the doctor. These include sore throat, fatigue, mood swings, unusual thoughts, dizziness, runny or stuffed up nose, agitation, loss of memory, headache, double or blurred vision, difficult bowel movements, involuntary eye movements, back pain, tremors, hair loss, heartburn, and changes in appetite and weight.

Other problems this medication can cause include:

• Thoughts of committing suicide
• Minute spots on the skin that are purple
• Depression
• Fever
• Hives and itchy skin
• Confusion
• Swollen glands
• Joints that are weakened
• Trouble breathing
• Problems swallowing
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding

Contact a Depakote® lawyer for more information.