What are the adverse effects of valproic acid?
Valproic acid may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness.
- dizziness.
- headache.
- diarrhea.
- constipation.
- changes in appetite.
- weight changes.
- back pain.
Can Depakote cause permanent damage?
Studies link Depakote and Depakote ER to serious side effects. These side effects can cause permanent disability and even death. Common side effects of Depakote can happen any time during treatment. Some Depakote side effects are specific to certain populations, such as pregnant women.
What are the long term effects of valproic acid?
There is no evidence that long-term use of valproic acid will cause gradual damage to the liver. Another rare reaction to valproic acid is a disorder of the pancreas. Occasionally it is so severe that bleeding and death can occur.
Who should not take valproic acid?
You should not use valproic acid if you are allergic to it, or if you have: liver disease; a urea cycle disorder; or. a genetic mitochondrial (MYE-toe-KON-dree-al) disorder such as Alpers’ disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome, especially in a child younger than 2 years old.
Why always used valproic acid alone?
Valproic acid is indicated for use as an anticonvulsant drug in people of all ages. It is used mainly as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for simple or complex absence seizures, either alone or with other seizure types (such as for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy).
Is there a class action lawsuit against Depakote?
Federal Depakote Lawsuits Settled for $1.5 Billion Patients who experienced severe side effects would go on to file lawsuits against Abbott, and later AbbVie. Before that, the Department of Justice went after Abbott over accusations that the company promoted Depakote for off-label uses.
What is the difference between valproic acid and Depakote?
As with other comparisons of generics and brand-name medications, whether 1 of these 2 mood-stabilizing drugs is more cost effective should be determined. One recent review found that the side effects of valproic acid are so severe that the expense of divalproex sodium is warranted.
When does valproic acid start working?
When will valproic acid start working? When used as a mood stabilizer to control a manic episode, valproic acid needs to be taken for 1 to 2 weeks before you notice an improvement in your symptoms. You may notice an improvement earlier if valproic acid is combined with other medications.
What does valproic acid make you feel like?
Valproic acid may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Is 1000 mg of Depakote a lot?
The recommended starting dose of Depakote for the prevention of migraine is 250 mg twice daily. The dose may be increased until migraine control is achieved. The maximum recommended dose is 1000 mg/day as needed.
Are there any side effects to taking valproic acid?
Some side effects of valproic acid may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
What are the effects of valproic acid on babies?
Valproic acid can cause serious birth defects (physical problems that are present at birth), especially affecting the brain and spinal cord and can also cause lower intelligence and problems with movement and coordination, learning, communication, emotions, and behavior in babies exposed to valproic acid before birth.
How long does it take For valproic acid to work?
When valproic acid is being used to control mani a, it takes about 1-2 weeks before you notice a decrease in symptoms like racing thoughts, improved sleep, and decreased irritability. You might notice an improvement earlier if valproic acid is combined with other medications.
Can you get pancreatitis after taking valproate?
Life-threatening pancreatitis has been reported in both children and adults receiving valproate. Cases have occurred shortly after initiation as well as several years after use. If pancreatitis is diagnosed, valproate should ordinarily be discontinued. Along with its needed effects, valproic acid may cause some unwanted effects.