What is Depakote ER: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Sprinkle capsule: You may open the capsule and pour the medicine onto a teaspoonful of soft food (including pudding or applesauce). Stir this mixture well and swallow it without chewing.

Part of the medicine may pass into your stool after your body has absorbed the medicine. Check with your doctor right away if this happens.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss 2 or more doses, call your doctor.

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

You may take this medicine with food to decrease stomach upset.

Capsule, tablet, or extended-release tablet: Swallow the medicine whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Capsule, tablet, or extended-release tablet: Swallow the medicine whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss 2 or more doses, call your doctor.

Sprinkle capsule: You may open the capsule and pour the medicine onto a teaspoonful of soft food (including pudding or applesauce). Stir this mixture well and swallow it without chewing.

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Part of the medicine may pass into your stool after your body has absorbed the medicine. Check with your doctor right away if this happens.

You may take this medicine with food to decrease stomach upset.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to divalproex, valproate sodium, or valproic acid. Do not use it to prevent migraine headaches if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease, or certain genetic disorders (including urea cycle disorder or mitochondrial disorder).

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, blood disease, pancreas problems, a viral infection (including HIV or cytomegalovirus infection), or a history of depression or mental health problems.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsPancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)Hyperammonemic encephalopathy (too much ammonia in your blood)Depression or thoughts of suicideBleeding problems (including thrombocytopenia)Hypothermia (low body temperature)Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage the organs, including the liver, kidney, or heart

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Some medicines can affect how divalproex sodium works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Amitriptyline, aspirin, chlorpromazine, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, nortriptyline, propofol, rifampin, ritonavir, rufinamide, tolbutamide, zidovudineBirth control pillBlood thinner (including warfarin)Carbapenem antibiotic (including ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem)Other seizure medicines (including carbamazepine, ethosuximide, felbamate, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate)

Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used together with this medicine.

This medicine may cause depression or thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or mental illness.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsPancreatitisHyperammonemic encephalopathy (too much ammonia in your blood)Thrombocytopenia (decrease in blood cells that affect clotting)Hypothermia (low body temperature)Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage organs such as the liver, kidney, or heart