Depakin (valproic acid) in the treatment of epilepsy: Basic information

Depakin (valproic acid) is used to treat epilepsy. But do you really understand how to use it to get the most out of it? What side effects will occur during the use of the drug? Let's find out with SignsSymptomsList what Depakin is through the article below.

Active ingredient name : valproic acid (as sodium valproate).

Medicines containing similar ingredients : Depakote, Dalekine, Milepsy.

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• 1. What is Depakin (valproic acid) and in what forms is it used?
• 2. What disease is Depakin (valproic acid) used to treat?
• 3. Depakin (valproic acid) is used in the dosage and how to use it?
• 4. What should be noted when using Depakin (valproic acid)?
• 5. In which cases should patients be cautious when taking Depakin (valproic acid)?
• 6. In which cases is it absolutely forbidden to use Depakin (valproic acid)?
• 7. What are the side effects of Depakin (valproic acid)?
• 8. What drugs can Depakin (valproic acid) interact with?
• 9. Can pregnant and lactating women take Depakin (valproic acid)?
• 10. Symptoms of overdose Depakin (valproic acid) and treatment:
• 11. How to store Depakin (valproic acid)?

1. What is Depakin (valproic acid) and in what forms is it used?

Depakin is a type of epilepsy treatment whose active ingredient is valproic acid. Dosage forms of Depakin include:

• Capsules of 250 mg sodium valproate.
• Syrup: Equivalent to 250 mg of sodium valproate per 5 ml.

In what forms is Depakin used?

2. What disease is Depakin (valproic acid) used to treat?

Depakin (valproic acid) is indicated for the treatment of:

• Monotherapy or adjuvant treatment of complex partial seizures
• Adjunctive treatment of simple and complex absence seizures
• Adjunctive therapy in patients with multiple seizure types including absence seizures.

* Absence seizures: occur quickly, common in girls, often have symptoms: blurred vision, pale face, tongue licking, chewing and swallowing several times, difficulty grasping, if writing, bad handwriting Go, roll your eyes. May resolve on its own or progress to a major seizure disorder.

3. Depakin (valproic acid) is used in the dosage and how to use it?

• Adults and children over 10 years of age: Start at 10-15 mg/kg/day, gradually increasing over a 1-week period from 5 to 10 mg/kg/week until seizures are controlled. Not safe at doses above 60 mg/kg/day. The dose should be divided at least 2 times a day and taken with meals.
• Elderly: Reduce the initial dose in this patient population and increase the dose more slowly in conjunction with frequent monitoring. The final therapeutic dose should achieve both tolerability and clinical response.

4. What should be noted when using Depakin (valproic acid)?

Patients should note when using Depakin:

• Tablets should be swallowed whole, without chewing to avoid local irritation.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless you are about to take your next dose. Do not double the next dose after missed.

5. In which cases should patients be cautious when taking Depakin (valproic acid)?

Precautions when using Depakin in the following cases:

• Liver toxicity
• Birth defects.
• Pancreatitis
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors: antiepileptic drugs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior.
• Bleeding and other hematopoietic disorders: monitor platelet counts and coagulation tests.
• Hyperuremia disease.
• Hypothermia
• Drug rash syndrome with eosinophilia and multiple systemic symptoms (DRESS).
• Drowsiness may occur in the elderly.

6. In which cases is it absolutely forbidden to use Depakin (valproic acid)?

Patients must absolutely not use Depakin in the following cases:

• In case of liver disease or liver dysfunction.
• Patients with diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (POLG): Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome…
• Children under two years of age suspected of having a POLG-related disorder.
• Patients with disorders of the urea cycle.
• Patients with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

7. What are the side effects of Depakin (valproic acid)?

Common side effects when using Depakin:

• Abdominal pain , constipation , nausea , increased appetite, dizziness , indigestion.
• Hair loss, blurred vision, weakness, shortness of breath.
• Memory disturbance, headache, nervousness, nystagmus, peripheral edema,
• Bronchitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis.
• Anemia, thrombocytopenia.
• Hearing loss

Depakin side effects

8. What drugs can Depakin (valproic acid) interact with?

Patients should consult a doctor when using Depakin together with the following drugs:

• Drugs that induce liver enzymes: phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin)
• Enzyme inhibitors: felbamate
• Aspirin, carbapenem antibiotic.
• Patients stabilized on rufinamide should be initiated on low-level valproate
• Dose adjustment of amitriptyline/nortriptyline, propofol, warfarin, and zidovudine may be necessary if used concomitantly with Depakin.
• Topiramate: Hyperkalemia and brain disease

9. Can pregnant and lactating women take Depakin (valproic acid)?

• For pregnant women: Depakin can cause birth defects including neural tube defects and decreased IQ. Therefore, double Depakine should not be used in women of childbearing potential and in pregnant women unless other treatments are ineffective.
• For lactating women: valproate is excreted in breast milk. Caution should be exercised when valproate is used in nursing women.

10. Symptoms of overdose Depakin (valproic acid) and treatment:

Overdose with valproate can lead to drowsiness, heart block, deep coma, and hypernatremia.

To solve:

Take the patient to the nearest medical facility immediately for timely treatment. In the case of early treatment, hemodialysis or hemodialysis plus dialysis can remove a significant amount of the drug.

11. How to store Depakin (valproic acid)?

Store in a dry place, at a temperature not exceeding 25°C.

Depakin, with the active ingredient valproic acid, is used to treat epilepsy. Besides the therapeutic effect, the drug still has side effects that affect the patient. Therefore, the use of the drug should be taken after consulting a doctor, pharmacist. Please visit reputable hospitals and clinics to get the most appropriate advice from a diagnostician.