Depakote Sprinkles (Divalproex)

Do’s

• Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before starting Depakote Sprinkles and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider.
• Take this medication by mouth as directed by your healthcare provider. It may be taken with food if stomach upset occurs.
• The capsule can be swallowed whole or the entire contents can be sprinkled onto a small amount of soft food, such as applesauce or pudding. Drink water right after taking the sprinkle and food mixture to ensure all sprinkles are swallowed. If any of the contents are spilled, they should be discarded, and a new capsule and another portion of food should be used. The drug/food mixture should be swallowed right away without chewing.
• The dosage is based on age, weight, medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications being taken. Inform the healthcare provider about all the products being used, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.
• Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it, and remember to use it at the same time each day to keep the amount of medication in the blood constant.

Don’ts

• Do not save the drug/food mixture for future use.
• If this medication is used for seizures, it should not be stopped without consulting a healthcare provider as the condition may worsen if the drug is suddenly stopped. The dose may need to be gradually decreased.

• Abdominal pain
• Asthenia
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Anorexia
• Abnormality in thinking
• Alopecia
• Ataxia
• Nystagmus disorder
• Tremor
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Skin rash 

Consult a healthcare provider for a comprehensive understanding of the potential side effects and discuss any concerns related to the use of Depakote Sprinkles.

Depakote  Sprinkles can cause liver failure, which may be fatal, especially in children under age 2 and in people with liver problems caused by certain genetic disorders.

When pregnant women take Depakote Sprinkles, their unborn babies are at risk of developing birth defects, affecting the brain, spinal cord, heart, arms, legs, and penis. These babies also risk developing lower intelligence. Therefore, women who are or may become pregnant should not take Depakote Sprinkles.

Another potentially fatal side effect of Depakote Sprinkles is inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis. This is when digestive enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself.

Call your healthcare provider at once if the person taking Depakote Sprinkles has signs of liver or pancreas problems, such as loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to the back), ongoing nausea or vomiting, dark urine, swelling in the face, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Do not start or stop taking Depakote Sprinkles during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. This medicine may harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Therefore, seek medical advice before making any changes during pregnancy.

Depakote  Sprinkles may interact with other drugs. Consult with a healthcare provider before taking any medications.