What happens if you take divalproex?

Diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, hair loss, blurred/double vision, change in menstrual periods, ringing in the ears, shakiness (tremor), unsteadiness, weight changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Does divalproex help with anxiety?

Panic disorders: Divalproex has been used successfully in the treatment of panic and anxiety disorders. It also helps to stabilize mood swings in people with behavioral instability.

How strong is divalproex?

Depakote tablets are for oral administration. Depakote tablets are supplied in three dosage strengths containing divalproex sodium equivalent to 125 mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg of valproic acid.

Who should not take divalproex?

You should not use divalproex sodium if you are allergic to it, or if you have: liver disease; a urea cycle disorder; or. a genetic mitochondrial (MYE-toe-KON-dree-al) disorder such as Alpers’ disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome, especially in a child younger than 2 years old.

Does divalproex make you gain weight?

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.

Is divalproex good for depression?

Conclusions: These pilot results indicate that divalproex is effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety in bipolar I, depressed phase. These positive results support the need to perform a larger, multisite study of divalproex treatment for bipolar depression.

Does divalproex make you sleepy?

Divalproex sodium oral tablet can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Don’t drive a vehicle, use machinery, or do other activities that require alertness until you know how this drug affects you. This drug can also cause other side effects.

Does divalproex cause high blood pressure?

Rare (less than 1 in 100 clients on this medication)

Thinner blood that could lead to easy bruising or bleeding. High blood pressure, fast heartbeat. Liver problems.

Is divalproex used for dementia?

Conclusion: Divalproex appeared to be as effective as previously reported rates for neuroleptics in the treatment of behavioral disturbances in dementia. The combination of divalproex and a neuroleptic was effective in patients who had failed either agent administered independently.

Does divalproex affect memory?

Divalproex treatment was associated with accelerated brain volume loss over 1 year and perhaps with greater cognitive impairment. The long-term clinical effects of these changes are not known.

Can divalproex cause seizures?

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.

What happens if Depakote levels are too high?

Symptoms of overdosage of Depakote include changes in consciousness, fainting, and slow or irregular heartbeat. Contact your doctor urgently if you experience stomach pain that spreads to your back, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, facial swelling, loss of appetite, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Is divalproex a narcotic?

Is divalproex a narcotic? No, divalproex isn’t a narcotic. Divalproex belongs to a group of drugs called antiepileptics.

Can divalproex cause erectile dysfunction?

Sexual side effects

Depakote interferes with the endocrine system and, according to one study, can cause reproductive and sexual dysfunction in both men and women. The most common sexual side effects were erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.

What are the 9 Common drugs Linked to Alzheimer’s?

The researchers found that anticholinergic drugs in general were associated with a higher risk of dementia. More specifically, however, anticholinergic antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, anti-Parkinson’s drugs, bladder drugs, and epilepsy drugs were associated with the highest increase in risk.

Can Depakote change your personality?

Divalproex sodium may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.

Does Depakote raise blood pressure?

Depakote (divalproex) is good for long-term prevention of seizures, manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and migraines. Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.

Does sodium valproate block dopamine?

In summary, there is evidence to suggest that some non-D2/3 blocking mood stabilisers also act to reduce dopamine transmission, either through reducing presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity in the case of sodium valproate, or post-synaptic dopaminergic signal transduction in the case of lithium.

Is Depakote a happy pill?

User Reviews for Depakote to treat Bipolar Disorder. Depakote has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 162 ratings for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder. 45% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 30% reported a negative effect.

Does divalproex help with anger?

Divalproex improves symptoms of irritability and aggression in patients with personality disorders, in particular borderline personality disorder (Frankenberg et al, 2002; Hollander et al, 2001a; Kavoussi and Coccaro, 1998; Wilcox, 1995; Stein et al, 1995a).

Can Depakote make you aggressive?

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Which is safer lithium or Depakote?

Patients taking lithium had lower rates of self-harm and unintentional injury compared to those taking other bipolar drugs, such as valproate (Depacon, Depakote), olanzapine (Zyprexa) or quetiapine (Seroquel), said lead researcher Joseph Hayes.