Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: DIVALPROEX (dye-VAL-pro-ex)
This medicine is an anticonvulsant used to control certain types of seizures. It is also used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorders (manic-depressive illness). 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 stomach 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 problems or a 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. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN WITH FOOD if it upsets your stomach. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and it is within 6 hours of the missed dose, take it as soon as possible. Take the remaining doses of the day at evenly spaced intervals. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE; this may cause an increased risk of severe seizures. If you need to stop this medicine or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose. Lab tests may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. THIS MEDICINE MAY INTERFERE WITH CERTAIN LAB TESTS. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know 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 taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, OR BLURRED VISION. 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. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL or use medicines that may cause drowsiness while you are using this medicine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. PATIENTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Patients who have bipolar (manic-depressive) illness may also have an 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 MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. USE THIS MEDICINE WITH CAUTION IN THE ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. THIS MEDICINE SHOULD BE USED WITH EXTREME CAUTION IN CHILDREN, especially children younger than 2 years old; 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 FETUS. IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while you are taking this medicine. DIABETES PATIENTS: This medicine may cause the results of some tests for urine ketones to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
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.
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.
view shopping bag (12) items $171.21
e-mail a friend about this prescription product
