Generic Depakote is also used for other conditions, such as the prevention of migraines, and control of behavioral problems associated with dementia

Generic Depakote differs in structure from other antiepileptic drugs in common use. The way in which Generic Depakote works is not fully understood, but it appears to involve several mechanisms and to act on a variety of targets, probably accounting for its broad efficacy.

Generic Depakote may be prescribed alone or with other epilepsy medications.

An extended-release form of this drug, Generic Depakote ER, is prescribed to prevent migraine headaches.

Take Generic Depakote by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water; do not crush or chew. If Generic Depakote upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk; do not take with carbonated drinks.

Epilepsy

Dose of Generic Depakote for adults and children 10 years of age or older is determined by body weight. The usual recommended starting dose is 10 to 15 milligrams per 2.2 pounds per day, depending on the type of seizure. Your doctor may increase the dose at 1-week intervals by 5 to 10 milligrams per 2.2 pounds per day until your seizures are controlled or the side effects become too severe. The most you should take is 60 milligrams per 2.2 pounds per day. If your total dose of Generic Depakote is more than 250 milligrams a day, your doctor will divide it into smaller individual doses.

Older adults usually begin taking Generic Depakote at lower dosages, and the dosage is increased more slowly.

Migraine prevention
The usual starting dose of Generic Depakote ER is 500 milligrams once a day for 1 week. The dose may then be increased to 1,000 milligrams once a day.

Generic Depakote ER works differently, so you cannot substitute one type for the other.

Researchers have not established the safety and effectiveness of Generic Depakote for prevention of migraines in children or in adults over 65.

If you miss a Generic Depakote dose
If you take only one dose of Generic Depakote each day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose of Generic Depakote and go on with your regular schedule. Do not take double or extra doses. If you take more than one dose of Generic Depakote a day and miss a dose, take it if you remember within 6 hours. Space the other doses for that day at regular intervals, do not take two doses of Generic Depakote at once.

Generic Depakote Overdose
Generic Depakote when taken in excess can produce serious consequences. If you suspect a Generic Depakote overdose, seek medical emergency.

Symptoms of Generic Depakote overdose include

• heart problems
• extreme sleepiness.

Generic Depakote Storage instructions
Keep Generic Depakote out of reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store Generic Depakote at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused amount of Generic Depakote after the expiration date.

Preparations of Generic Depakote:
Generic Depakote Tablets-125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, ER 250 mg, ER 500 mg

Generic Depakote may increase the blood levels of the following medicines:-

• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline
• benzodiazepines such as lorazepam
• zidovudine
• primidone.

Generic Depakote may increase the blood level of lamotrigine and may increase the risk of skin reactions associated with lamotrigine. Your doctor may need to reduce your lamotrigine dose.

Generic Depakote increases the blood levels of phenobarbitone, which may result in excessive sedation if these two medicines are taken together. The dose of phenobarbitone may need to be reduced by your doctor. Generic Depakote increases the blood levels of phenytoin and phenytoin levels should be monitored if these medicines are used together.

There may be increased sedation if Generic Depakote is taken with benzodiazepines.

There may be an increase in side effects such as dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision and vomiting if Generic Depakote is taken with carbamazepine.

The blood level of Generic Depakote may be increased by the following medicines:-

• felbamate
• large repeated doses of aspirin.

Mefloquine may decrease the blood level of Generic Depakote.
Cholestyramine may reduce the absorption of Generic Depakote from the gut. Separating doses of these medicines by 3 hours can minimize this.

The risk of liver damage decreases with age; but you should always be alert for the following symptoms: loss of seizure control, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, a general feeling of ill health, facial swelling, loss of appetite, vomiting, and yellowing of the skin and eyes. If you suspect a liver problem, call your doctor immediately.

Generic Depakote has also been known to cause life-threatening damage to the pancreas. This problem can surface at any time, even after years of treatment. Call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following warning signs: abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.

Generic Depakote precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Pregnant women taking Generic Depakote have a higher risk of carrying a baby with developmental problems and malformations. In view of this it is vital that women with bipolar disorder receive specialist psychiatric advice before starting treatment with Generic Depakote, so they are well informed of potential risks and benefits of treatment. Women who decide to try for a baby while taking Generic Depakote should start taking folic acid 5mg daily as soon as contraception is stopped, as this may reduce risk of neural tube defects in the baby.

Women who decide to continue taking Generic Depakote during a pregnancy should be prescribed Generic Depakote on its own, in the lowest effective dose, in doses that are split over the day, and if possible as a prolonged release brand. These measures can help minimize the risk to the baby. Specialist medical advice must be sought. Generic Depakote passes into breast milk in small amounts, but there have been no reports of harmful effects from this on nursing infants. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.

Special warnings about Generic Depakote
Generic Depakote may cause blood, liver or pancreatic disorders. You should have blood tests to monitor your liver function and blood cell count before you start treatment. Your liver function should be monitored for the first six months of treatment, and your blood cell count should be checked before any surgery. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms during treatment: lack of appetite and energy, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, swelling of ankles or hands, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), unusual bruising or bleeding.

Generic Depakote may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.

There is no information regarding the safety and effectiveness of Generic Depakote to treat mania in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

Generic Depakote can cause some people to put on weight. Talk to your doctor about this before you start treatment so that you can discuss strategies, such as diet and exercise, for minimizing any weight gain.

People with diabetes should be aware that Generic Depakote could cause false positive results in urine tests for ketones.

Why Generic Depakote should not be prescribed?
Generic Depakote should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using Generic Depakote and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

More common side effects of Generic Depakote may include:

• abdominal pain
• abnormal thinking
• breathing difficulty
• bronchitis
• bruising
• constipation
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• emotional changeability
• fever
• flu symptoms
• hair loss
• headache
• incoordination
• indigestion
• infection
• insomnia
• loss of appetite
• memory loss
• nasal inflammation
• nausea, nervousness
• ringing in the ears
• sleepiness
• sore throat
• tremor
• vision problems
• vomiting
• weakness
• weight loss or gain

More common side effects of Generic Depakote may include:

• abnormal dreams
• abnormal milk secretion
• abnormal walk
• aggression
• anemia
• anxiety
• back pain
• behavior problems
• belching
• bleeding
• blood disorders
• bone pain
• breast enlargement
• chest pain
• chills
• coma
• confusion
• coughing up blood
• dental abscess
• drowsiness
• dry skin
• ear inflammation
• excessive urination (mainly children)
• eye problems
• feeling of illness
• gas
• growth failure in children
• hallucinations
• hearing problems
• heart palpitations
• high blood pressure
• hostility
• increased appetite
• increased cough
• involuntary rapid movement of eyeball
• irregular or painful menstruation
• itching
• jerky movements
• joint pain
• lack of muscular coordination
• leg cramps
• liver problems
• loss of bladder or bowel control
• muscle or joint pain
• muscle weakness
• muscle pain
• neck pain
• nosebleed
• over activity
• pneumonia
• rapid heartbeat
• rickets (mainly children)
• sedation
• seeing \"spots before your eyes\"
• sensitivity to light
• sinus inflammation
• skin eruptions or peeling
• skin rash
• speech difficulties
• stomach and intestinal disorders
• swelling of arms and legs due to fluid retention
• swollen glands
• taste changes
• tingling or pins and needles
• twitching
• urinary problems
• vertigo
• vision problems