Drug Uses
Depakote is used for controlling certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It is also used to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorders (manic–depressive illness), and to prevent migraine headaches. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken
Use Depakote as directed by your doctor. To avoid stomach upset take Depakote with a meal. Swallow Depakote whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Taking Depakote at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. Continue to use Depakote even if you feel well. Depakote works best when there is a constant level of it in your body.

Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Depakote, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if you have allergies to medicines, if you are allergic to any ingredient in Depakote, if you have a history of metabolic disease, blood disease, HIV, high blood levels of ammonia or glutamine, low levels of albumin, brain problems (eg, organic brain disease), mental retardation, inflammation of the pancreas, kidney problems, or low levels of white blood cells, or if you are scheduled for surgery, have a history of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency or unexplained coma, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast–feeding. Depakote has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Depakote while you are pregnant. Depakote is found in breast milk. Do not breast–feed while you are taking Depakote. Some medicines may interact with Depakote. Therefore tell your doctor of all prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement that you are taking. Do not take Depakote if you have a history of liver conditions, low levels of the enzyme ornithine carbamoyltransferase, or a urea cycle disorder. Do not stop taking Depakote suddenly. This may cause seizures. Inflammation of the pancreas is a potentially life–threatening illness associated with Depakote. Symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, or appetite loss. Contact your doctor at once if any of these symptoms occur. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Depakote before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. Depakote may cause the results of some tests for urine ketones to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of Depakote and might require a lower dose. Depakote should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 10 years old. Children younger than 2 years of age may be at increased risk of serious liver problems.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. However if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the Missed Dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects
Some of the Possible Side Effects are– Change in appetite, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, hair loss, headache, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, trouble sleeping, vomiting, and weight changes. Contact your doctor if any of these or other side effects occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately– allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), abdominal cramps, abnormal thinking, change in menstrual period, changes in mood or behavior, chest pain, confusion, dark urine, difficulty speaking, difficulty urinating or other urination problems, extreme tiredness, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, general body discomfort, hallucinations, hearing loss, involuntary movements of the arms and legs, involuntary movements or chewing movements of face, jaw, mouth, or tongue, joint pain, lack of energy, loss of appetite, loss of coordination, loss of seizure control, memory loss, nosebleed, pounding in the chest, severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain, sore throat, swelling of the arms or legs, tremor, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual weakness, vision changes, yellowing of skin or eyes.

Storage
Store Depakote bellow 86 °F (30 °C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Depakote out of the reach of children.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of Depakote overdose are– deep sleep, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness.

More Information
Depakote may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may worsen if Depakote is taken with alcohol or certain other medications. Use Depakote with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to this drug. If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor. Depakote should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Disclaimer
This is only general information, it does not cover all directions, drug integrations or precautions. You should not rely on it for any purpose, it does not contain any specific instructions for a particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information. We`re not responsible for any damage.