When is the best time to take Depakene?

When is the best time to take Depakene?

A: You should take Depakote at a time of day when you can best remember to take it consistently—for instance, in the morning with breakfast or in the evening before you go to bed. Please see Full Prescribing Information with Medication Guide for the complete list of side effects.

How quickly does Depakene work?

Tablets take 4 hours to reach a peak, Depakote sprinkles take just over three. Food can delay the absorption of Depakote (food has a more significant effect on the tablets compared with the sprinkles). It may take several weeks of regular dosing before an effect on mood or seizure frequency is reported.

Is Depakote and Depakene the same?

A closely related medication, Depakene (valproic acid), comes in capsule and liquid form. Another variety of valproic acid, Stavzor, is no longer manufactured. In 2008, the FDA approved the first generic version of Depakote. Collectively, these medications are known as valproate products.

What happens when you stop taking valproic acid?

If you suddenly stop taking valproic acid, you may experience a severe, long-lasting and possibly life-threatening seizure. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

Does valproate cause liver damage?

More importantly and not uncommonly, valproate can cause several forms of clinically apparent hepatotoxicity. Indeed, more than 100 fatal cases of acute or chronic liver injury due to valproate have been reported in the literature.

How can I avoid weight gain on Depakote?

Here are some ways to lose weight gained due to medication use:

1. Switch to a different medication. The first strategy to consider involves changing medications.
2. Lower medication dosage.
3. Limit portion sizes.
4. Exercise.
5. Eat more protein.
6. Talk to a dietitian.
7. Avoid alcohol.
8. Get enough sleep.

Does divalproex cause weight gain?

Mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal). All of these medications are known to increase the risk of weight gain except lamotrigine.

How much weight do you gain on Depakote?

Depakote (valproic acid) Depakote is used to treat bipolar disorder and seizures, and prevent migraines. A 2007 study of epilepsy patients found that 44 percent of women and 24 percent of men gained 11 pounds or more while taking Depakote for about a year.

What type of drug is DEPAKENE?

Acid
Short-chain fatty acid
Sodium valproate/Classification
Depakene (valproic acid) is an antiepileptic used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Depakene is sometimes used together with other seizure medications.

What is DEPAKENE solution?

Depakene (solution and liquid capsules) and Depakote Sprinkle Capsules are prescription medicines used alone or with other medicines, to treat: complex partial seizures in adults and children 10 years of age and older. simple and complex absence seizures, with or without other seizure types.

How does depakene work?

This medication is used to treat seizure disorders, mental/mood conditions (such as manic phase of bipolar disorder), and to prevent migraine headaches. It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

Does valproic acid affect your kidneys?

Valproic acid may cause serious allergic reactions affecting multiple body organs (eg, liver or kidney). Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: a fever, dark urine, headache, rash, stomach pain, swollen lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, unusual tiredness, or yellow eyes or skin.

How much valproic acid is in a Depakene capsule?

Depakene capsules and syrup are antiepileptics for oral administration. Each soft elastic capsule contains 250 mg valproic acid. The syrup contains the equivalent of 250 mg valproic acid per 5 mL as the sodium salt.

Is it OK to take Depakene capsules whole?

Last updated on Sep 12, 2019. Depakene is intended for oral administration. Depakene capsules should be swallowed whole without chewing to avoid local irritation of the mouth and throat. Patients should be informed to take Depakene every day as prescribed.

Are there any side effects to taking Depakote?

Depakote and Depakene can cause serious side effects, including: 1 Serious liver damage that can cause death, especially in children younger than 2 years old. 2 Depakote or Depakene may harm your unborn baby. 3 Inflammation of your pancreas that can cause death. 4 Like other antiepileptic drugs, Depakote or Depakene may cause suicidal thoughts…

When to start a reduction in Depakene dosage?

This reduction may be started at initiation of Depakene therapy, or delayed by 1 to 2 weeks if there is a concern that seizures are likely to occur with a reduction. The speed and duration of withdrawal of the concomitant AED can be highly variable, and patients should be monitored closely during this period for increased seizure frequency.