DIVALPROEX SODIUM belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, DIVALPROEX SODIUM is also used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine. Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. In epilepsy the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures.
DIVALPROEX SODIUM contains 'Divalproex sodium', which decreases the brain's excessive and abnormal nerve activity. Thereby helps in controlling seizures. DIVALPROEX SODIUM increases the amount of a chemical substance called GABA, this helps block the nerve transmission across the brain and provides a calming effect. Thereby helps treat bipolar disorder.
Take DIVALPROEX SODIUM with or without food. You are advised to take DIVALPROEX SODIUM for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. 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 SODIUM without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening of seizures. Do not take DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you are pregnant as it could cause serious birth defects. If you are of child-bearing age, use effective contraception while taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM. Consult your doctor before taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you are breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery as DIVALPROEX SODIUM causes dizziness, and may affect thinking and motor skills. Avoid consuming alcohol along with DIVALPROEX SODIUM as it could lead to increased dizziness. Care should be taken while giving DIVALPROEX SODIUM to children below 2years 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.
Epilepsy, bipolar disorder, migraine
DIVALPROEX SODIUM belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics. DIVALPROEX SODIUM is used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, DIVALPROEX SODIUM is also used to treat mood disorder and to prevent migraine headaches. DIVALPROEX SODIUM decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain. Thereby helps in controlling seizures. DIVALPROEX SODIUM treats mood disorder 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 SODIUM prevents migraine headache by limiting the transmission of nerve pain. DIVALPROEX SODIUM is used alone or in combination to treat simple seizures, complex partial seizures and complex absence seizures. DIVALPROEX SODIUM is used in combination to treat multiple seizures such as absence seizures.
Do not take DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you are allergic to any of its contents, have/ had liver problems or urea cycle disorders. Inform your doctor before taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you have pancreatitis, blood problems or multi-organ hypersensitivity. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendency while taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM. DIVALPROEX SODIUM 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 SODIUM without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening of seizures. Do not take DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you are pregnant as it could cause serious birth defects. If you are of child-bearing age, use effective contraception while taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM. Consult your doctor before taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you are breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery as DIVALPROEX SODIUM causes dizziness and may affect thinking and motor skills. Avoid consuming alcohol along with DIVALPROEX SODIUM as it could lead to increased dizziness. Care should be taken while giving DIVALPROEX SODIUM to children below 2years as there is a higher risk of liver intoxication during the first 6months of treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions: DIVALPROEX SODIUM 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 SODIUM as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness. Alcohol intake might also provoke seizures.
Drug-Disease Interactions: DIVALPROEX SODIUM may interact with disease conditions such as depression, liver disease, urea cycle disorders, suicidal tendency, HIV disease and thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets).
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM as it may cause increased dizziness.
DIVALPROEX SODIUM belongs to pregnancy category D. Avoid taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you are pregnant as it could lead to serious birth defects. Consult your doctor for further advice.
DIVALPROEX SODIUM may pass into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking DIVALPROEX SODIUM if you are breastfeeding.
DIVALPROEX SODIUM causes dizziness and may affect thinking and motor skills. Do not drive or operate machinery.
DIVALPROEX SODIUM 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.
Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
DIVALPROEX SODIUM can be given to children if prescribed by the doctor. The dose will be adjusted by the doctor depending upon the child's body weight. Care should be taken in children below 2years as they are at a higher risk of liver toxicity.
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.