Divalproex
Divalproex is the active ingredient in Depakote, used for epilepsy, bipolar mania and migraine prevention, and listed here as 125mg, 250mg and 500mg gastro-resistant tablets.
What divalproex treats
Divalproex is an anticonvulsant with three main jobs: it lowers the number of seizures in epilepsy, it settles the mania of bipolar disorder (spells of unusually high mood, energy and irritability), and it reduces how often migraines strike in people who get them regularly. The same medicine is also used to steady mood between episodes.
It is not a simple salt. Divalproex is a compound of valproic acid and sodium valproate in equal amounts, which is why it also appears on labels as valproate semisodium or divalproex sodium. The body splits it into valproic acid, the part that does the work.
Depakote tablets in this shop
Depakote is the brand name for divalproex, listed here as 125mg, 250mg and 500mg tablets. Each one is gastro-resistant: the coating carries the tablet past the stomach before the medicine is released, which keeps irritation of the stomach lining to a minimum. Swallow these tablets whole with water — crushing, splitting or chewing them spoils the coating. You will find them with the other anticonvulsants in neurology.
How it works
Divalproex slows the breakdown of GABA, the chemical that quietens nerve cells, so more of it stays available. It also partly closes the sodium and calcium channels that let electrical signals into cells, which makes the cells less ready to fire. With less electrical excitability in the brain, seizures, manic swings and migraine attacks all become less likely.
Taking it through the day
Doses are split across the day, often morning and evening, and a meal alongside each dose makes nausea less likely. Keeping to the same times helps the level in the blood stay even. Do not stop suddenly: seizures can return quickly, so the amount is stepped down gradually instead. Store the tablets in the pack they came in, away from damp.
Side effects and interactions
Nausea, stomach pain, loose stools, trembling hands, sleepiness, dizziness, appetite and weight changes and hair thinning are the effects people notice most, and they often settle as the body adjusts. Severe stomach pain that spreads to the back and comes with vomiting can be pancreatitis and needs urgent treatment. Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine and heavy tiredness are signs of liver injury, and unusual bruising or bleeding, or confusion and drowsiness with vomiting, also need prompt attention.
Alcohol and sleeping tablets, benzodiazepines and opioid painkillers all add to the drowsiness. Carbapenem antibiotics such as meropenem can push valproate levels down and let seizures through; warfarin and aspirin raise the chance of bleeding; lamotrigine makes a serious skin rash more likely. Valproate can harm an unborn baby, so it is avoided during pregnancy.
Sources
- Valproic Acid: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Depakote 250mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) — UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)
Where can I order Divalproex for delivery in Hong Kong?
Divalproex can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong, listed as generic Depakote tablets in 125mg, 250mg and 500mg. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on a secure, encrypted page, or by Bitcoin or Ethereum.
How are Divalproex prices shown?
Depakote is priced per pack: its page lists every strength and pack size with the current price in HKD or your chosen currency.
Is there a generic Depakote?
Yes, generic Depakote is listed as 125mg, 250mg and 500mg tablets and contains divalproex. Those three strengths all come as tablets, and this is the version shown for the ingredient here.
What brand names does divalproex have?
Depakote is a brand name of divalproex, which is also sold as Dicorate and Epival. Here, divalproex can be bought online as generic Depakote. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does divalproex take to work?
It builds up in the blood rather than acting within the hour. Manic symptoms often begin to settle within the first days, while the effect on seizure frequency or on how often migraines come becomes clear only after some weeks of steady dosing.
Can I drink alcohol with divalproex?
Alcohol adds to the drowsiness and dizziness divalproex can cause, and heavy drinking puts extra strain on the liver — the organ this medicine can affect. Keep drinking to a minimum while you are taking it, and expect the day after a heavy night to feel worse than usual.
What is the difference between divalproex and valproic acid?
Valproic acid is the active medicine; divalproex is a compound of valproic acid and sodium valproate that delivers the same active ingredient. Tablets are labelled by their valproic acid content, so a 250mg Depakote tablet contains 250mg of valproic acid.
Does divalproex cause hair loss?
Hair thinning is one of the better-known effects of divalproex, along with a fine tremor of the hands. It usually appears in the first months, tends to be mild, and hair often grows back once the medicine is stopped.
Can I take divalproex only when I get a migraine?
Divalproex is a preventive medicine, not a treatment for an attack that has already started. It is taken every day to make migraines less frequent, and the benefit shows up over weeks rather than on the day.