Divalproex belongs to a group of medicines called mood stabilisers which is used treat seizure disorders, certain psychiatric conditions (manic phase of bipolar disorder), and to prevent migraine headaches. It works by stabilising the levels of chemicals in your brain that affect your mood.
It is used to treat:
- Seizure disorders
- Manic episodes related to bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- Migraine headaches
- Allergic to divalproex or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
- Have liver problems or you or your family have a history of liver problems caused by taking a medicine
- Have a rare illness called porphyria which affects your metabolism
- Have a known metabolic disorder, i.e. a urea cycle disorder
- Have a genetic problem caused by a mitochondrial disorder
- Have fits (epilepsy), a brain disease or a metabolic condition affecting your brain
- Have problems with your pancreas
- Have diabetes or are being tested for diabetes
- Have a carnitine palmitoyltransferase type II deficiency
- Have kidney problems
- Have a ‘urea cycle disorder’ where too much ammonia builds up in the body
- Have an illness called ‘systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Have a genetic problem caused by a mitochondrial disorder in your family
- This medicine is not recommended in case your are pregnant or planning to have a baby. Ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine as there is a high risk of birth defects
- If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine
- This medicine is not recommended for children under 18 years of age
- Drinking alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine
- This medicine may make you feel sleepy, confused or dizzy. If this happens do not drive or operate any machinery
Please inform your doctor in case you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Aspirin
- Phenobarbital, Primidone, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Rufinamide, Topiramate, Acetazolamide, Lamotrigine and Felbamate
- Medicines for depression
- Quetiapine, Diazepam and Olanzapine
- Zidovudine
- Lopinavir and Ritonavir
- Panipenem, Imipenem, Meropenem, Rifampicin and Erythromycin
- Mefloquine or chloroquine
- Warfarin
- Temozolomide
- Cimetidine
- Cholestyramine
- Nimodipine
- Propofol
- Oestrogen
- Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider tells you
- Take this medicine by mouth.
- Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them
- This medicine can be taken with or after a meal
If you forget to take this medicine:
- If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember
- Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
If you stop taking this medicine:
- Do not stop taking this medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider
- Liver injury
- Vomiting, Gingival disorder, Stomatitis, Gastralgia, Diarrhea
- Extrapyramidal disorder, Stupor, Somnolence, Convulsion, Memory impairment, Headache, Nystagmus
- Confusional state, Hallucinations, Aggression, Agitation, Disturbance in attention
- Hyponatraemia, Weight increased
- Anaemia, Thrombocytopenia
- Hypersensitivity, Transient and/or Dose related alopecia (hair loss), Nail and Nail bed disorders. Regrowth normally begins within six months, although the hair may become more curly than previously
- Dysmenorrhea
- Haemorrhage
- Deafness
- Urinary incontinence
- Pancreatitis, sometimes lethal
- Coma, Encephalopathy, Lethargy, Reversible parkinsonism, Ataxia, Paraesthesia, Aggravated convulsions
- Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of ADH (SIADH), Hyperandrogenism
- Pancytopenia, Leucopenia
- Angioedema, Rash, Hair disorder
- Amenorrhea
- Vasculitis
- Renal failure
- Hypothermia, Non-severe peripheral oedema
- Bone mineral density decreased, Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and Fractures
- Pleural effusion
- Reversible dementia associated with reversible cerebral atrophy, Cognitive disorder
- Abnormal behaviour, Psychomotor hyperactivity, Learning disorder
- Hyperammonaemia, Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Bone marrow failure, Including red cell aplasia, Agranulocytosis, Anaemia macrocytic, Macrocytosis
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Erythema multiforme, Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome
- Male infertility, Polycystic ovaries
- Diplopia
- Enuresis, Tubulointerstitial nephritis, Reversible Fanconi syndrome
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, Rhabdomyolysis
- Coagulation factors decreased (at least one), Abnormal coagulation tests
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Store at room temperature (15-25ºC)
- Keep this medicine and all medicines out of the reach of children
- Do not take this medicine after the expiry date
webmd.com | drugs.com | medicine.org.uk | netmeds.com
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