Depakote: Learn the Most Common Side Effects to Body

Depakote is the brand name for a substance called valproic acid or divalproex sodium. It was first used as an anti-seizure medication and was approved by the FDA for eplipsy in 1983. In 1995, Depakote was approved for use in Bipolar Disorder, and in 1996, the FDA approved it for use in migraine prevention. Today, it's used most often to treat Bipolar Disorder, what was once referred to as manic depression. This medication also has a history of being marketed for inappropriate uses.

Depakote functions through alteration of the neurotransmitter GABA, but the exact method it uses to accomplish this is unknown. It is thought that increasing the levels of GABA in the brain helps prevent brain signals that lead to seizures. Bipolar Disorder is characterized by extreme highs followed by extreme lows. Alterations in levels of GABA are associated with Bipolar Disorder, so it is thought that helping to restore the brain's neurotransmitter levels to a more normal range aids in maintaining balanced moods.

While there are many common and non-life-threatening side effects of Depakote, there are a handful of dangerous side effects. The FDA forces the medication to carry a "black-box" warning as it can cause deadly liver damage, especially if it in ingested by a child under the age of two. You are significantly more likely to develop severe liver damage during the first six months of treatment than in any time after that first half year. In some patients, liver damage continued to worsen even after they stop taking Depakote.

There is also a "black-box" warning for pancreatitis and some patients have developed life-threatening cases. In some cases, the symptoms of pancreatitis came on extremely quickly, with the initial symptoms quickly escalating to death.

Because of this, it is extremely important that patients taking Depakote are aware of the symptoms of pancreatitis and receive immediate medical attention for any, even minor, symptoms. If you experience abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, seek medical attention or call 911 immediately. Pancreatitis was reported both in patients who had only been on the medication for a short period as well as those who had been on it for a long time.

You should not take Depakote if you have a history of liver disease, a urea cycle disorder, or a genetic condition such as Alper's disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome, a degenerative disorder of the Central Nervous System (CNS), usually seen in children.

There are also warnings surrounding Depakote and pregnancy because it can cause harm to a fetus. Most common are brain and spinal cord issues like spina bifida. This medication causes birth defects in about 2% of babies exposed to it in utero. These can develop even in the first month of pregnancy, before you may know you are pregnant.

Because of this, many doctors suggest you use caution if you are on the medication and may become pregnant. However, if you are pregnant and prescribed Depakote, you should not stop taking it without the advisement of your doctor as this may also be harmful to the fetus. If you are prescribed this medication and realize that you have become pregnant, talk to your physician as soon as possible about how to best handle the situation.