Depakote Extended Release 500 mg (Divalproex Sodium)

Adult dose

This medication is administered once daily and should be swallowed whole without crushing or chewing the tablet. 1. Treatment of seizures - The initial dose for monotherapy of complex partial seizures is 10 to 15 mg per kg of body weight per day, increasing by 5 to 10 mg each week. - The initial dose for simple and mixed absence seizures is 15 mg per kg of body weight per day, increasing by 5 to 10 mg at one-week intervals. - The maximum recommended daily dose is 1 day per kg of body weight.

Child dose

Can be administered to children aged 10 years and older. - When treating seizures, the same dosage is given for children aged 10 years and older and adults. - The initial dose for monotherapy of complex partial seizures is 10 to 15 mg per kg of body weight per day.

This drug should not be given to pregnant women except in special cases. In particular, women of childbearing potential must strictly adhere to a pregnancy prevention program before taking this drug. The effectiveness of this drug may be reduced when taken with hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen; therefore, physicians should closely monitor the patient's condition at the start and end of use. Patients taking this drug should be carefully monitored for suicidal urges or behaviors, depressive symptoms, and should consult healthcare providers immediately if abnormal behaviors appear. Patients with liver function problems or at high risk for hepatotoxicity, especially children under 3 years old, must use this drug alone and undergo regular liver function tests. As there is a risk of pancreatitis, patients should inform healthcare providers immediately if symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite appear, and discontinue the drug if pancreatitis is diagnosed. Patients with urea cycle disorders must be evaluated prior to taking this drug, and if symptoms of hyperammonemia appear, they should seek treatment immediately. Elderly patients should be cautious of side effects such as drowsiness and dehydration while taking this drug, and dose adjustments may be necessary. Thrombocytopenia may occur, so regular blood tests should be conducted, and any bleeding symptoms should be reported to healthcare providers immediately. Co-administration with carbapenem antibiotics is not recommended, and patients at risk for hypocarniitinemia should consider carnitine supplementation if symptoms arise during drug therapy. Males of reproductive potential should avoid sperm donation during and for 3 months after taking this drug, and consult with their physician when planning a pregnancy. This drug is used for epilepsy, mania, and migraine prevention, and regular liver function tests and blood tests are needed during treatment. While taking this medication, side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weight changes, hair loss, and tremors may occur, so caution is advised. Women of childbearing potential should undergo a pregnancy test before taking this drug, use effective contraception, and consult their physician immediately if they become pregnant. Sudden discontinuation of this medication may worsen seizures, so the dosage should be reduced slowly according to the physician's instructions. Due to central nervous system depressant effects, drowsiness may occur, so patients should avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery during the initial phase of treatment. It is important to consult healthcare providers immediately if any unusual symptoms or side effects are suspected.

Serious side effects

Hives, severe swelling (edema), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, cold sweats, pallor, severe rash with high fever, blisters, skin peeling, oral/ocular mucosal pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, respiratory abnormalities accompanied by cough + fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), severe malaise, sudden and severe headache, lightning headache, seizures, confusion, vision abnormalities, paralysis, urination issues

Mild side effects

• Headache
• weakness
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• dyspepsia
• constipation

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container to prevent exposure to air or moisture, ideally at room temperature between 1°C and 30°C. Storing it this way helps maintain the medication's effectiveness and prevent degradation.

Appearance

Gray oval-shaped extended-release tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle