What Is Depakote Used For

Valproic Acid, Divalproex Sodium

Valproate (VPA) and its valproic acid, sodium valproate, and valproate semisodium forms are medications primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches.[2] They are useful for the prevention of seizures in those with absence seizures, partial seizures, and generalized seizures.[2] They can be given intravenously or by mouth, and the tablet forms exist in both long- and short-acting formulations.[2] Common sid...

Hi, My girlfriend suffers from bipolar, and she has been taking depakote for about 2 months now, and it has worked more than wonders, problem is is that she ran out, and the treatment center that perscribed it wont refill it because she is no longer a patient. Her bipolar symptoms are getting really bad and she needs her meds. She has an appointment with a pshyc that she has never seen before, but the appointment is not for another month and a half..... How can she get a perscription refilled before that, and if she cant, what do we do? ## use inhousepharmacy.vu. It will save you the trouble of having to argue with your doctor.

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Ive been on depakote 125mg for a week. Ive had what feels like a severe panic attack for almost that whole week. I was just wondering, ive only been on it a week would it be ok to just stop, because i cant function like this. Its awful, and i never had this problem before taking this drug. ## Hello, Lindsay! How are you? Anxiety can be a side effect of Depakote and most other similar medications. You may also experience dizziness, blurry vision, dry mouth and indigestion. However, these side effects usually start to taper off after about 3 to 4 weeks, once your body gets used to the medication. Have you consulted your doctor? They might be able to prescribe something temporarily to help with the anxiety. ## I have been taking divalproex sod er, twice a day 250mg, for 4 weeks. And I noti...

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I'm used to my son taking 500mg of depakote, a large, grey, oval pill. Now he's taking a larger white oval pill with M 473 on one side. What is that? ## I located a match for M 473 white oval pill it's Divalproex sodium ER 500 mg, which is used to help with certain seizures as well as epilepsy. To learn more about this drug click on the link below... Do you have any more questions or information to add? Please post back if you do. ## I take this. It is Divalproex ER 500mg, but it can also be used for mood stabilization and bi-polar disorder.

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Valproic Acid, Divalproex Sodium

Valproate (VPA) and its valproic acid, sodium valproate, and valproate semisodium forms are medications primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches.[2] They are useful for the prevention of seizures in those with absence seizures, partial seizures, and generalized seizures.[2] They can be given intravenously or by mouth, and the tablet forms exist in both long- and short-acting formulations.[2] Common sid...

I have been on depakote for 5 years. 3 months ago I got a small rash and went to the Dr. She treated with hydroxizine with no success for 2 months then referred me to a dermapathologist. The dermapathologist looked at it and said it was stevens Johnson syndrome and to stop the depakote which I did. He gave me a shot of kenalog, singulair, and topical steroids. As of yesterday the rash is still spreadi g out of control. Any ideas? I'm desperate, tried every OTC potion cream and pull. ## How long ago did you receive the shot? The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Are you on any other medications? Has there been any change? What other medications have you tried? Have you gotten a second opinion?

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What is the difference between Depakote and Depakote ER? ## The Depakote ER is an extended release formulation of the medication, the other is the regular release. Is there anything else I can help you with? ## Er is is extended release that is the difference

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is 1500 mg too much to take. 500mg tid?? ## what are you takeing for bi-polar or seziure? ## I am taking it for bi-polar disorder ## no, but you will need to take blood test's to check your level ## I was on 3200 for BPD, with no probs. I only had my blood checked once; however I could never tell a difference!!! ## I AM GOING TO HAVE LEVELS CHECK AT THE END OF THE MONTH WHICH WOULD BE 2 WK ON NEW DOSE CANT REALLY SEE ANY BIG CHANGE. MY HAVE TO ASK FOR SOMETHING ELSE??? ## does anyone know if its ok to take half of a depakote ( cut a 500 mg ) because of certain adverse effects, or can it have a negative effect ## If taking for BiPolar condition, dosages may depend on what other medications are being taken for BiPolar and what dosages give you the appropriate level. A level that is to...

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Hi. I've currently stopped taking Depakote and I was wondering how long does it take for the side effects to go away mainly the eye floaters. ## Hello, ChickenMan! How are you? Are you sure they were due to the Depakote? Has this been confirmed by your doctor? It's not a side effect that's commonly reported by people taking it and, if it did cause them, it could be difficult to know how long it will take for them to clear up. How long have you been off of it? What are you taking instead?

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I experienced my first major depressive episode after my sophomore year of college at age 20 (in 2002). During my sophomore year of college, my hair went from being straight to corkscrew-like curly nearly overnight. I had no way to explain this phenomenon at the time, but my hair was easier to fix and added personality so I thought, hey, cool, weird for it to do this, but, cool! I think "chemicals" in my brain had started to change and remember feeling "out of place" and uncomfortable in my own skin a lot. I was a straight A student my freshman year of college and A/B student my sophomore year. I frequently swithched majors because I felt like I could not think through my decisions (irritated, fluctuating moods) and I had no idea what I truly enjoyed in life. After my ma...

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I have reduced depakote 500mg to 250mg 2 weeks ago. I have schizoaffective disorder. But not bipolar. I tought I d onot need to have this medication. But now since it is reduced I have no motivation, I have irritation and depressed mood. Shall I continue this medication? I take also Zyprexa 25mg and respiridol 5mg. But I have now oculogyric crisis from the zyprexa. My Doctor prescribed me cogetin as needed. It seems to help for that crisis. But the Depakote decrease make me miserable. Does it go away? ## I have reduced depakote 500mg to 250mg 2 weeks ago. I have schizoaffective disorder. But not bipolar. I tought I d onot need to have this medication. But now since it is reduced I have no motivation, I have irritation and depressed mood. Shall I continue this medication? I take also Zyp...

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I'm 21 and have been taking 500mg (morning) / 1000mg (evening) of Depakote ER. I was not in range so my doctor recently increased me to 1000mg/1000mg. Now I have severe gas and abdominal pain. I've read in previous posts that this side effect is usually transient. I was wondering if there is anything special I can do in my diet and or lifestyle to reduce the pain? ## Hello, Gabe! How are you? Have things improved, at all? Not really a lot you can do, side effects are going to happen, if they're going to happen. However, your doctor may approve your taking something to alleviate the gas. Other side effects may possibly include nausea, dizziness, headache and weight gain. Is there anything else I can help with?

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Is depakote similar to neurontin? Can an individual just abruptly stop taking this mood stabilizer because they feel they don't need it without replacing it with something else? Does this cause weight gain? ## They both treat the same types of conditions and no, you shouldn't stop either one abruptly, because it could create the risk of seizures. Stopping one doesn't usually cause weight gain, but it can be a side effect of taking them. Other side effects may include nausea, mood swings and dry mouth. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Just needing to know if Depakote and Neurontin work basically the same? I realize neither should be stopped abruptly. But, my question is, do they both work in the same ways? ## These are two different compounds that work in two entire...

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Have reduced Depakote, as it gave me painful sensation of numbness and tingling, still have this 8days after not having any. Other reason for not wishing to continue this regime was severe fatigue, used to run regularly, could only manage a few yards, every step was an effort. Also No motivation, strange feelings of not being myself, irritability, which was horrid as I am normally very gentle ,kind person, do not ever want to go through this withdrawal again felt horrid for weeks, Practiced EFT and Yoga ,also mindfulness to ease chemical symptoms, heard online, that this was once used as an industrial solvent. Psychiatrists, give too high a dose of reducing at 250mg. Research suggests that you must only reduce 10% a month,especially if you have been on drug for more thaN A FEW MONTHS,Ho...

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My mother has been on depakote 500mg tablet (1 every night) and quitipin 50mg ( 1 every nght) for 2 years now. She is constantly worried though not panicked. She talks to her self sometimes more than other times and hears voices constantly. Most of the time she is upset with the voices and other times she is peaceful with them. What are these medications for and how do they work in tandem with each other. Also any idea what it is my mother is suffering from, cause no one tells me. They just say she has a chemical imbalance and nothing more. Schezophrenia is taboo in India so no one tells me whats going on with her. PLease help me ## WHAT IS QUITPIN PRESCRIBED FOR ## there is a reason for not telling u the cause.may b ur mother is bn detected wid brain atrophy..which cannot b cured...m b...

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I have been diagnosed with epilepsy/complex partial seizures since 1981. I've been taking Depakote (1000 mg) for at least 15 years. It has caused weight gain always, my neuro added Zonegran to my cocktail to counteract this but now I'm starting to experience tremors and cognitive thinking is slowing down. My neuro told me today that most likely this is due to Depakote. I am hesitant to come off it because it covers my seizures so well and offers a mood stabilizer for my PTSD. Has anyone experienced these side effects - my neuro expects they will get worse as I get older - and I'm curious what others have moved to as an alternative. I've tried so many meds, it's always the side effects that kill me. ## Unfortunately, these issues have been known to occur with all of t...

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My husband just started on Depakote they upped him to 2000mg a day all in one dosage at bed time. He is having many problems with siezures wanting to start. He sees the light effect,feels dizzy, and is having headaches along with some vision problems. Is this normal when starting on Depakote. He has had his blood tested and they upped it to 2000 mg. recently.He had three episodes today. What do we do? ## Here's the monograph with more information: It sounds like he may be suffering from both normal and unusual side effects, he really needs to talk to his doctor and explain them all, they may need to lower his dosage or try a different medication.

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What are the side effects of a combination of all three medicines for a seizure disorder? Have been on the Depakote and Topamax for years with the Kepra only recently added for partial seizures. I noticed that my hair is now thinning dramatically and I'm now suffering from insomnia! I'm thinking it may have something to do with the addition of the Kepra. Am I correct? Is there a solution for this problem? Has anyone else ever come across this problem or complaint? I will, of course, consult my neurologist before doing anything. Just wanted to know what you thoughts. ## The basic side effect profile remains the same, and the FDA lists it as including things like nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, mood changes, weight changes, and the hair loss that you mentioned, however, t...

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So I've been on Depakote ER 500mg for 3 months now.(sorry if this is tmi) I've always had regular menstrual cycles but since I have started I didn't have one for two months then had a terrible painful one, hair loss, weight gain... just every terrible side effect I am on it for bipolar not for seizures and I want to get pregnant haven't been using protection since I've been on this and ive had two pregnancies before the meds easily, so I'm wondering how long it'll take after I taper myself off to be able to get back into a normal cycle and feel normal again any personal expierences are welcomed too. ## The FDA lists Depakote as being in pregnancy category D, meaning that there is definitive evidence of fetal risk, if women were taking it while pregnant. Thus,...

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19 years ago I began taking pills for Bi-Polar. After trying different pills on trial basis for 2 yrs we finally found a combination that works for me and that is Depakote and Prozac. I have found out that I can take generic Prozac but I can not take generic Depakote nor can I take Depakote with out the ER - I must have the real Depakote ER. I see the pill as large oval and gray in color. Because most medical insurances including Medicare and Medicaid will not automatically pay for the real thing so I have to get my Depakote ER approved every two months through Medicaid. For it, it is worth it. I have found that every 4 or 5 years I have to stopped the Depakote ER for about 2 years and then I go back on it again., When my brain won't close down day or night (even though I am on Depa...

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