How do you titrate Depakote?

When starting Depakote in patients, already on anti-convulsants, these should be tapered slowly; if clinically possible; initiation of Depakote therapy should then be gradual, with target dose being reached after about 2 weeks. Faster titration may be permissible if plasma level monitoring is available.

How do you wean off divalproex?

You can cut the Depakote 125 mg in half giving you 62.5 mg. These small cuts are not necessary for everyone, but for some, slowing it way down is the only path to re-regulation after the use of the drug. You can cut any of the Depakote versions in half to configure the correct milligram dosing needed.

Can you abruptly stop divalproex?

Do not stop using divalproex sodium suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause a serious, life-threatening type of seizure. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Is 500 mg of divalproex a lot?

Depakote ER is indicated for prophylaxis of migraine headaches in adults. The recommended starting dose is 500 mg once daily for 1 week, thereafter increasing to 1000 mg once daily.

How far apart should Depakote be given?

The recommended initial dose is 15 mg/kg/day, increasing at one week intervals by 5 to 10 mg/kg/day until seizures are controlled or side effects preclude further increases. The maximum recommended dosage is 60 mg/kg/day. If the total daily dose exceeds 250 mg, it should be given in divided doses.

Can I stop taking Depakote cold turkey?

Q: Can I stop taking Depakote at any time? A: Do not stop taking Depakote without first talking to your doctor. Stopping Depakote suddenly can cause serious problems, including seizures that do not stop (also known as “status epilepticus”).

Is it hard to get off Depakote?

A: Do not stop taking Depakote without first talking to your doctor. Stopping Depakote suddenly can cause serious problems, including seizures that do not stop (also known as “status epilepticus”). Please see Full Prescribing Information with Medication Guide for the complete list of side effects.

Is 2500 mg of Depakote too much?

Depakote tablets are administered orally. The recommended starting dose is 250 mg twice daily. Some patients may benefit from doses up to 1,000 mg/day. In the clinical trials, there was no evidence that higher doses led to greater efficacy.

How much Depakote should I take for bipolar?

Dosage formulations for acute bipolar mania

	DEPAKOTE Delayed-Release Tablets	DEPAKOTE ER Tablets
MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED DOSE	60 mg/kg/day
THERAPEUTIC BLOOD RANGE	Clinical response was dosed at trough plasma concentrations between 50-125 μg/mL	85 to 125 μg/mL

What is divalproex ER 500 mg used for?

Divalproex sodium is used to treat certain types of seizures (epilepsy). This medicine is an anticonvulsant that works in the brain tissue to stop seizures. Divalproex sodium is also used to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and helps prevent migraine headaches.

Is divalproex sodium a narcotic?

Depakote has active ingredients of divalproex sodium. It is often used in bipolar disorder. Narcotic abuse. Narcotic abuse (addiction of narcotic (pain killer )) has been reported by people with drug abuse and dependence, drug abuse, pain, drug dependence, depression (latest reports from 44,638 Narcotic abuse patients).

Does divalproex sodium cause weight gain?

Evidence suggests that Depakote (divalproex sodium) can cause clinically relevant weight gain (7% increase in body weight from baseline) as a side effect. Moreover, research indicates that weight gain an extremely common side effect of Depakote – occurring in a significant percentage of users.

Does divalproex sodium cause liver damage?

Divalproex sodium can cause liver failure that may be fatal, especially in children under age 2 and in people with liver problems caused by certain genetic disorders.