|
What
is Depakote?
Depakote (divalproex sodium), marketed by Abbott Laboratories,
is a prescription medication that has been proven effective
in the treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar
disorder, also known as manic depression.
What
is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a neurobiological brain disorder (mental
illness) characterized by cyclic mood swings of extreme highs
called mania and intense lows known as depression. Bipolar
disorder affects more than two million Americans each year,
but patients with this disorder can lead fulfilling lives
when they receive proper treatment. Unfortunately, some two-thirds
of those afflicted don't receive treatment.
Medication
is an essential part of successful treatment for bipolar disorder,
and Depakote is the newest medication approved to treat mania.
With the proper dosage, Depakote can reduce manic symptoms,
shorten hospitalization, help prevent future manic episodes,
and make it possible for an individual to live productively
in the community.
When
was Depakote introduced to the U.S.?
Depakote has been marketed in the United States since 1983.
Until it was approved for use in treating bipolar disorder
on June 1, 1995, it was used exclusively in the treatment
of epilepsy. This new use of Depakote for the manic episodes
of bipolar disorder is a breakthrough in medicine because
it is the first medication approved for the symptoms of mania
in 25 years.
What
is the standard dose of Depakote?
Depakote is available in three tablet strengths, which are
administered orally. The recommended initial dose is 750 mg
daily taken in divided doses. (The starting dose should be
reduced in elderly patients.) Dosages usually begin low and
may be increased by the doctor until the patient reaches the
point where the lowest therapeutic dose produces the desired
clinical effect.
Is
there anyone that shouldn't take Depakote?
Depakote should not be given to patients with liver disease
or significant liver dysfunction to avoid liver failure. Pregnant
women should not take Depakote because of the possible harm
it can cause the fetus.
Caution should be taken when Depakote is administered with
other medications, including aspirin. Patients must be sure
to report all other medications -- prescribed and over-the-counter
-- that they are taking to the doctor prescribing Depakote.
Depakote should also be given with caution to nursing mothers.
What
are the side effects of Depakote?
There are significant risks for pregnant patients that should
be discussed with the doctor in each case. If you are already
pregnant and on Depakote, do not discontinue it abruptly.
Call you doctor to discuss the situation.
Liver problems,
which can be severe, may develop on Depakote, especially in
the first six months of treatment. Problems with white blood
cell count and blood platelets, which can also be severe,
may also develop on this medication. Blood tests to monitor
liver function and blood cells are an important part of treatment
with Depakote, and they serve to make this treatment acceptably
safe. Rarely, a potentially fatal abnormality involving the
pancreas call pancreatitis can occur.
Other common side
effects are nausea, drowsiness, and dizziness; but for some
patients these conditions lessen or go away over time. Because
Depakote may cause drowsiness, patients receiving this medication
should not engage in hazardous activities or operate motor
vehicles while undergoing treatment until the drowsiness subsides.
Some adverse effects on skin and hair may also occur, including
rash, hair loss, and itching.
Patients taking stronger doses of Depakote may experience
more side effects, so it is important to weigh the benefits
of a higher dose against the possibility of greater adverse
reactions to the drug.
How long does it
take to work, and should Depakote be taken for long periods
of time?
In clinical studies, patients have been found to respond to
the effects of Depakote after just ten days of treatment.
In these studies Depakote was found to be safe in treating
a sample of 360 patients for more than three months. As with
any medication, physicians who prescribe Depakote for extended
periods of time should continually reevaluate the patient
and the drug's overall short- and long-term effects.
What
are the advantages of Depakote?
Depakote is a major advance in the treatment of manic episodes
associated with bipolar disorder. It is an effective and well-tolerated
treatment that offers hope for many consumers. There are a
number of anti-depressant medications available for treating
the depressive episodes of bipolar disorder, but there are
only four approved by the FDA for treating mania: lithium,
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), Depakote, and Zyprexa.
For more in-depth information about mental illness, treatments
and supports, and medications;
please choose from the following topics:
By
Illness | What is Mental Illness?
| Treatments & Supports
|
