Divalproex
About
Divalproex belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, Divalproex is also used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder and prevent migraines. Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures.
Divalproex contains 'Divalproex', which decreases the brain's excessive and abnormal nerve activity. Thereby helping in controlling seizures. Divalproex increases the amount of a chemical substance called GABA; this helps block the nerve transmission across the brain and provides a calming effect. Thereby helping treat bipolar disorder.
Take Divalproex with or without food. Depending on your medical condition, you are advised to take Divalproex for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as abdominal pain, back pain, constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, and vomiting. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Please do not stop taking Divalproex without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening seizures. Do not take Divalproex if you are pregnant, as it could cause serious birth defects. If you are of childbearing age, use effective contraception while taking Divalproex. Consult your doctor before taking Divalproex if you are breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery as Divalproex causes dizziness and may affect thinking and motor skills. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Divalproex as it could lead to increased dizziness. Care should be taken while giving Divalproex to children below two years as there is a higher risk of liver intoxication during the first 6months of treatment. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Divalproex
Medicinal Benefits
Divalproex belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics. Divalproex is used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Also, Divalproex is used to treat mood disorders and prevent migraine headaches. Divalproex decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain. Thereby helping in controlling seizures. Divalproex treats mood disorders by increasing the amount of a chemical substance called GABA; this helps block the nerve transmission across the brain and provides a calming effect. Divalproex prevents migraine headaches by limiting the transmission of nerve pain. Divalproex is used alone or in combination to treat simple, complex partial, and complex absence seizures. Divalproex is used in combination to treat multiple seizures, such as absence seizures.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Divalproex
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Increased appetite
- Vomiting
- Vision problems
- Weight changes
- Problems with walking or coordination
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Divalproex if you are allergic to any of its contents, have/ had liver problems or urea cycle disorders. Inform your doctor before taking Divalproex if you have pancreatitis, blood problems or multi-organ hypersensitivity. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies while taking Divalproex. Divalproex may cause thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets), hyperammonemia (high levels of ammonia in the blood), hypothermia (low body temperature) and liver problems. Please do not stop taking Divalproex without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening of seizures. Do not take Divalproex if you are pregnant, as it could cause serious birth defects. If you are of childbearing age, use effective contraception while taking Divalproex. Consult your doctor before taking Divalproex if you are breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery as Divalproex causes dizziness and may affect thinking and motor skills. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Divalproex as it could lead to increased dizziness. Care should be taken while giving Divalproex to children below 2 years as there is a higher risk of liver intoxication during the first six months of treatment.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Divalproex may have interaction with pain killers (aspirin), anti-epileptics (pregabalin, topiramate, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, felbamate, ethosuximide), anti-HIV (zidovudine), anti-depressant (duloxetine, escitalopram, amitriptyline, nortriptyline), anti-psychotic (aripiprazole, lurasidone, quetiapine), anti-anxiety (alprazolam), anti-TB (rifampicin), anti-coagulant (warfarin), antibiotics (imipenem, meropenem), and benzodiazepine (diazepam).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Divalproex as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness. Alcohol intake might also provoke seizures.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Divalproex may interact with disease conditions such as depression, liver disease, urea cycle disorders, suicidal tendency, HIV disease and thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Divalproex as it may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeDivalproex belongs to pregnancy category D. Avoid taking Divalproex if you are pregnant as it could lead to serious birth defects. Consult your doctor for further advice.
Breast Feeding
cautionDivalproex may pass into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking Divalproex if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeDivalproex causes dizziness and may affect thinking and motor skills. Do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionDivalproex should not be used if you have liver problems or your family has a history of liver problems. Please consult your doctor if you have liver problems or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionDivalproex can be given to children if prescribed by the doctor. The doctor will adjust the dose depending on the child's body weight. Care should be taken in children below two years as they are at a higher risk of liver toxicity.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates and high in fats) is recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet helps in utilising fat instead of glucose for the generation of energy.
- Atkins diet (high fay and controlled carbohydrates) is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- Exercising regularly helps in maintaining weight and improving overall health.
- Rest well, get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower the stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Have a seizure response plan, help those around you know what to do.
- Prepare your living area, small changes may reduce the risk of physical injury during a seizure.
- Understand what triggers seizures and try reducing or avoiding them.
- Please pay attention to overall health as it can help in reducing seizure activity.
- Install an alarm or emergency device to get assistance during a seizure attack.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of blood count and coagulation tests are advised while taking Divalproex as it may cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels).
- Divalproex may cause liver toxicity, usually during the first 6months of treatment. Children below two years are at a higher risk. Regular monitoring of liver function tests before treatment and at frequent intervals is advised.
- Divalproex might alter thyroid function tests and urine ketone tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Divalproex.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. It is a disorder of the nervous system which occurs due to disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain. In epilepsy the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures. In patients with seizures, the typical brain electrical pattern is disrupted by sudden bursts of electrical impulse that affect an individual's consciousness, movements or sensations. Seizures are of two types: generalised and partial seizures. Generalised seizures affect the entire brain, whereas partial seizures affect only a part of the brain. Seizures can cause uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms. Stronger seizures may cause people to become confused or unconscious. Possible causes include high fever, trauma, genetic disorder, brain injury or stroke.
Mood disorder: It is a mental health disorder which mainly affects a person's emotional state. A mood disorder is associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows.
Migraine: Migraine is a neurological condition which is characterized by intense headaches. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
FAQs
Divalproex decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain. Thereby helps in controlling seizures.
Divalproex helps to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder by increasing the amount of a chemical substance called GABA, this helps in blocking the nerve transmission across the brain and provides a calming effect.
Divalproex limits the transmission of nerve pain, thereby preventing migraine headaches. Migraine is a neurological condition which is characterized by intense headaches.
Divalproex may interact with aspirin and cause abnormal side-effects. So, it is recommended to take any medication along with Divalproex only after consulting a doctor.
Divalproex may improve the symptoms of depression. However, do not use it without consulting a doctor as it may also cause mood disturbances and suicidal thoughts in some patients.
Do not discontinue Divalproex without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Divalproex for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Divalproex; your doctor will gradually reduce the dose to avoid worsening seizures.
Divalproex may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. Maintain a healthy weight by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Divalproex may cause thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets). This might increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. Be cautious while using sharp objects. Consult your doctor if you notice unexplained bleeding or bruising. Regular monitoring of blood count is advised while taking Divalproex.
Topiramate (anticonvulsant) should not be taken along with Divalproex as it may cause hyperammonemia (excess ammonia in the blood), hypothermia (low body temperature) and liver problems.
