Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: DIVALPROEX (dye-VAL-pro-ex)
This medicine is an anticonvulsant used to control seizures. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL LIVER PROBLEMS have occurred in patients using this drug. Children using this drug who are under the age of 2 years are at higher risk to experience liver problems, especially if they also have a severe seizure disorder along with mental retardation; are using more than one seizure control drug; have body process (metabolic) problems or have brain disorders. If used in these patients, this drug must not be used with additional seizure control drugs. Early signs of liver problems include loss of seizure control, vomiting, unusual tiredness/weakness, loss of appetite, yellowing eyes/skin, or swelling of the face. Contact your doctor promptly if you develop any of these symptoms. Liver tests should be run before and during use of the drug. SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL PANCREAS PROBLEMS have occurred during use of this medicine. It may progress quickly and may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Contact your doctor promptly if you develop any of these symptoms. THIS MEDICINE CAN ALSO CAUSE SEVERE BIRTH DEFECTS if it is used during pregnancy. Contact your doctor if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant while taking this medicine. This medicine comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), acyclovir, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), cancer medicines, carbamazepine, carbapenem antibiotics (eg, meropenem), cholestyramine, clonazepam, erythromycin, ethosuximide, felbamate, fluoxetine, guanfacine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), isoniazid, ketoconazole, lamotrigine, mefloquine, methylphenidate, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), primidone, rifampin, risperidone, salicylates (eg, aspirin), tolbutamide, topiramate, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), or zidovudine. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of liver problems, metabolic disease, blood disease, HIV infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, high blood levels of ammonia or glutamine, low body temperature, low levels of albumin, brain problems (eg, organic brain disease), mental retardation, inflammation of the pancreas, kidney problems, or low levels of white blood cells; if you are scheduled for surgery; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell you doctor if you have a history of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency or unexplained coma, or a family history of urea cycle disorders or unexplained infant deaths. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental or mood problems (eg, depression), or suicidal thoughts or actions; or if you take any other medicines for seizures. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of liver conditions, or a certain metabolic disorder (urea cycle disorder). Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. An additional patient information leaflet is available with this medicine. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. THE CAPSULE MAY BE SWALLOWED WHOLE or opened and sprinkled on a teaspoonful of applesauce, pudding, or other soft food. Mix the medicine with the food and swallow the mixture immediately without chewing. Follow with a glass of water. DO NOT store the mixture for future use. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN WITH FOOD if it upsets your stomach. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping this medicine may cause seizures to occur more often. If you need to stop this medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including complete blood cell counts and liver function, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness, dizziness, or vision changes. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. PATIENTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS. Watch patients who take this medicine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. THIS MEDICINE MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BLOOD CELLS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR CLOTTING. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations where bruising or injury may occur. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes aspirin. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine especially drowsiness. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN younger than 2 years of age because they may be at increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal liver problems. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while you are taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may cause false test results with some urine ketone tests. Check with your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine or changing your diet.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include change in appetite, constipation, diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach cramps or pain, drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, weight change, or hair loss. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience the following abnormal thinking; chest pain; confusion; dark, tarry, or bloody stools; dark urine; difficulty speaking; difficulty urinating or other urination problems; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hearing loss; involuntary movements of the arms and legs; involuntary movements or chewing movements of face, jaw, mouth, or tongue; joint pain; memory loss; unusual bleeding or bruising; tremor; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, depression, changes in behavior); suicidal thoughts or actions; new or worsening seizures; change in menstrual period; swelling of the face; loss of appetite; loss of coordination; extreme tiredness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; swelling of the arms or legs; yellowing of skin or eyes; unusual weakness; severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; or vision changes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include deep sleep, irregular heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.
YOU MAY NOTICE UNDISSOLVED PARTS OF THIS MEDICINE IN YOUR STOOL. This is normal and not a cause for concern. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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