Save up to 90% on Depakene with Coupons, Discount Cards & Patient Assistance Programs

Depakene is the brand name for valproic acid and is available as an oral capsule and solution.

Depakene is available as a 250 mg oral capsule and a 250 mg/5 ml oral solution.

Depakene is an antiepileptic and is used to treat focal impaired awareness seizure and
absence seizures.

Depakene is an antiepileptic. The exact way it works to control seizures isn’t well understood. But it’s thought that Depakene signals your brain to make more of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA helps to lower the bursts of activity in your brain, which can help to prevent seizure episodes.

Depakene is typically taken by mouth and your dose will be determined based on your weight. The typical starting dose ranges from 10 mg/kg to 15 mg/kg by mouth per day. Your physician will raise your dose weekly as needed to better control the seizures. The maximum daily dose is 60 mg/kg.

Depakene is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not take this medication if you have hepatic disease or significant hepatic dysfunction, a known hypersensitivity to the drug, or have urea cycle disorders.

Common side effects of Depakene include:

• Tremor
• Nausea
• Headache
• Excess sleepiness
• Vomiting
• Feeling weak
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

Serious side effects are rare with Depakene. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

• Allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling (on your face, lips, mouth, or throat), peeling skin, rash, hives.

The following medications may interact with Depakene:

• Hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin) can increase Depakene clearance
• while enzyme inhibitors (e.g., felbamate) can decrease Depakene clearance
• Aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics – Monitoring of Depakene concentrations is recommended
• Co-administration of Depakene can affect the pharmacokinetics of other drugs (e.g. diazepam, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, phenytoin) by
• inhibiting their metabolism or protein binding displacement. Dosage adjustment of amitryptyline/nortryptyline, warfarin, and zidovudine may be necessary if used concomitantly with Depakene
• Topiramate – Hyperammonemia and encephalopathy

AbbVie Inc.

Depakene can cause congenital malformations including neural tube defects and decreased IQ. Only use Depakene to treat pregnant women with epilepsy if other medications are unacceptable.

• Valproate Sodium