General Information on Depakote
Depakote is a seizure medication indicated for the treatment of disorders such as epilepsy and manic episodes of bipolar disorder. The generic name of Depakote is valproic acid, which is a histone deacetylase or HDAC inhibitor.
Depakote is effective as an anticonvulsant, as well as a mood stabilizer. Its active ingredient, valproic acid, affects the naturally produced chemicals that are linked to seizures.
In some cases, Depakote has been found to be effective in the treatment of schizophrenia and major depression. You can buy Depakote only if your doctor has specifically prescribed it for your condition.
Side effects of Depakote
Depakote can damage the liver. In rare cases, this medication has also been reported to cause life-threatening liver failure. The risk of this occurring is higher in children, and even more so if these children are taking other seizure medications. The risk of life-threatening side effects also increases if the patient suffers from a metabolic disorder or a mentally impairing brain disease. Examples of such diseases include multiple sclerosis, a serious brain infection or injury, or Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.
Depakote is also known to cause dangerous inflammations in the pancreas (pancreatitis) in rare cases. This condition can occur suddenly, and is likely to occur even if you have been taking Depakote for years. You must not take the drug if you have a history of blood clotting disorder, brain disorder, coma, head injury, or urea cycle disorder. You may also not be able to buy Depakote if you suffer from liver disease.
Serious side effects of Depakote include confusion, unexplained weakness or fainting with vomiting, reduced or no urination, body aches, flu-like symptoms, blood in the urine, hallucinations, lack of coordination, double vision, and extreme drowsiness.
The mild side effects of Depakote include an unusual or unpleasant lingering taste in the mouth, stomach upset, vision changes, tremors, hair loss, changes in menstrual cycle or weight, and constipation/diarrhea.
Dosage of Depakote
Depakote is available as an orally administered tablet. There are three types of tablets, each with their own strength- the lavender colored tablets have a strength of Depakote 500mg, the peach colored ones are Depakote 250mg, and the salmon colored tablets have a strength of Depakote 125mg. The dosage and duration of treatment will be determined by your doctor, and you must follow his/her instructions even if it differs from the recommended dosage.
The daily recommended dose of Depakote depends on the condition being treated. For the treatment of manic episodes, the recommended starting dosage is 750mg per day. The maximum dose that can be given is 60mg per kg of weight.
For the treatment of complex partial seizures, Depakote is recommended to be given only for patients of or over the age of 10 years. The recommended daily dose for this condition is between 10 and 15mg per kg of weight.
Buy Depakote from North Drug Store
The North Drug Store offers generic and branded versions of Depakote in all the different dosage levels. You can also find other types medications for the treatment of other medical conditions.
