DEPAKOTE ER
Used for Epilepsy
NowPatient helps you obtain your DEPAKOTE ER prescription for free or at low-cost. Drug savings programs are suitable for individuals who are insured, don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine.
Manufactured by AbbVie, Inc.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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DEPAKOTE ER key facts
What is DEPAKOTE ER?
DEPAKOTE ER is the brand name of divalproex sodium and is available as an extended-release oral tablet.
What dosages is DEPAKOTE ER available in?
DEPAKOTE ER is available as a 250 mg and 500 mg extended-release oral tablet.
What is DEPAKOTE ER used for?
DEPAKOTE ER is an antiepileptic and is used to treat bipolar disorder,
seizures (focal impaired awareness seizure, absence seizure), and migraine prevention.
How does DEPAKOTE ER work?
DEPAKOTE ER is an antiepileptic. It’s not exactly clear how this medication works to prevent migraines or treat mania episodes in bipolar. But in order to control seizures, DEPAKOTE ER signals your brain to make more of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA helps to reduce the bursts of activity in your brain, which prevents seizures.
How do I take DEPAKOTE ER?
DEPAKOTE ER is typically taken by mouth up to a maximum dose of 1000 mg once a day.
Is it safe for me to take DEPAKOTE ER?
DEPAKOTE ER 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, known mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA
polymerase γ (POLG), suspected POLG-related disorder in children under two years of age, a known hypersensitivity to the drug, urea cycle disorder, or are using it for the prophylaxis of migraine headaches and are pregnant or could become pregnant and not using effective contraception.
DEPAKOTE ER Common Side Effects
Common side effects of DEPAKOTE ER include:
- Nausea
- Excess sleepiness
- Accidental injury
- Low energy
- Headache
- Feeling weak
- Vomiting
- Tremor
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
DEPAKOTE ER Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with DEPAKOTE ER. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Severe allergic reactions: fever, rash, extreme tiredness, body aches, mouth sores, blisters, trouble breathing
- Serious liver problems: nausea, vomiting, not feeling hungry, pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool
- Extremely high blood ammonia levels: fatigue, poor mental alertness, vomiting
- Inflamed pancreas: upper stomach pain, fever, nausea, vomiting
- Serious bleeds: bleeding that’s difficult to stop, vomiting blood, blood in the urine or stool, “coffee-ground” stool
- Extreme drop in body temperature: shivering, feeling tired, feeling confused, slurred speech, coma
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on DEPAKOTE ER
The following medications may interact with DEPAKOTE ER:
- Hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin) can increase DEPAKOTE ER clearance, while enzyme inhibitors (e.g., felbamate) can decrease DEPAKOTE ER clearance
- Aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics – Monitoring of DEPAKOTE ER concentrations is recommended
- Co-administration of DEPAKOTE ER 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 DEPAKOTE ER
- Topiramate – Hyperammonemia and encephalopathy.
Who makes DEPAKOTE ER?
AbbVie, Inc.
Is DEPAKOTE ER safe in pregnancy?
DEPAKOTE ER can cause congenital malformations including neural tube defects and decreased IQ. Only use DEPAKOTE ER to treat pregnant women with epilepsy if other medications are unacceptable.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my DEPAKOTE ER prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your DEPAKOTE ER prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient DEPAKOTE ER savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient DEPAKOTE ER savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for DEPAKOTE ER | Canadian Prescription Savings* for DEPAKOTE ER | DEPAKOTE ER Drug Coupon* | DEPAKOTE ER Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of DEPAKOTE ER?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for DEPAKOTE ER | Canadian Prescription Savings* for DEPAKOTE ER | DEPAKOTE ER Drug Coupon* | DEPAKOTE ER Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the DEPAKOTE ER savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the DEPAKOTE ER drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for DEPAKOTE ER, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the DEPAKOTE ER prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, DEPAKOTE ER is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed DEPAKOTE ER for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the DEPAKOTE ER prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the DEPAKOTE ER prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for DEPAKOTE ER
If you are having trouble paying for your DEPAKOTE ER medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for DEPAKOTE ER you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- DEPAKOTE ER is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers DEPAKOTE ER
- If DEPAKOTE ER is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for DEPAKOTE ER
If you are having trouble paying for your DEPAKOTE ER medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for DEPAKOTE ER you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers DEPAKOTE ER
- If DEPAKOTE ER is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for DEPAKOTE ER
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your DEPAKOTE ER treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for DEPAKOTE ER you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for DEPAKOTE ER
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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