What is divalproex 500 mg used for?
What is divalproex 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.
What happens when you stop taking divalproex sodium?
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.
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.
How long does it take divalproex to work?
Tablets take 4 hours to reach a peak, Depakote sprinkles take just over three. Food can delay the absorption of Depakote (food has a more significant effect on the tablets compared with the sprinkles). It may take several weeks of regular dosing before an effect on mood or seizure frequency is reported.
What is divalproex sodium used for?
Divalproex sodium is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Divalproex sodium is sometimes used together with other seizure medications. Divalproex sodium is also used to treat manic episodes related to bipolar disorder ( manic depression ), and to prevent migraine headaches.
What does divalproex do?
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 valproic acid the same as Depakote?
Depakote (divalproex sodium, sodium valproate , and valproic acid) is an anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) medication that is also used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Depakene contains the same medication—the difference is that Depakote is coated, which is thought to decrease some of the gastrointestinal side effects.
What is the half life of Depakote ER?
Depakote has a half life of 9 – 16 hours. This means that every 9 to 16 hours, half of the previous amount of Depakote in the body is removed.