Depakote Sprinkle Capsules
- Generic Name: divalproex sodium sprinkle capsules
- Brand Name: Depakote Sprinkle Capsules
Depakote Sprinkle Capsules (Divalproex Sodium Sprinkle Capsules) side effects drug center
-
Related Drugs
Alsuma Carbatrol Depakote Diastat Acudial Dilantin Kapseals Elepsia XR Epidiolex Fintepla Fycompa Geodon Keppra Lithium Carbonate Lybalvi Nayzilam Neurontin Oxtellar XR Phenytek Potiga Seizalam Stavzor Sympazan Tegretol Topamax Tranxene Valtoco Vigadrone Vimpat Xcopri Zolmitriptan Tablets Generic Zonegran
- Health Resources
- Depakote Sprinkle Capsules User Reviews
Depakote Sprinkle Capsules Side Effects Center
What Is Depakote Sprinkle Capsules?
Depakote Sprinkle Capsules (divalproex sodium) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) that works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain and is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Depakote Sprinkle Capsules is sometimes used together with other seizure medications. Depakote Sprinkle Capsules is available in generic form.
What Are Side Effects of Depakote Sprinkle Capsules?
Common side effects of Depakote Sprinkle Capsules include:
- diarrhea,
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- hair loss,
- blurred/double vision,
- changes in menstrual periods,
- ringing in the ears,
- shakiness (tremor),
- unsteadiness,
- weight changes,
- weakness,
- constipation,
- upset stomach,
- enlarged breasts,
- hair loss, or
- unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth
Dosage for Depakote Sprinkle Capsules
Dose of Depakote Sprinkle is determined by the patient's weight, medical condition, and other factors.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Depakote Sprinkle Capsules?
Depakote may interact with cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety, other seizure medications, topiramate, tolbutamide, blood thinners, aspirin, acetaminophen, zidovudine, clozapine, diazepam, meropenem, rifampin, or ethosuximide. Tell your doctor all medications you use.
Depakote Sprinkle Capsules During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Depakote is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm a fetus. Since untreated seizures are a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her fetus, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor about using this medication during pregnancy. Your doctor may switch the type of medication you use during pregnancy. This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Additional Information
Our Depakote Sprinkle Capsules (divalproex sodium) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

IMAGES
See Images
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Call your doctor at once if the person taking this medicine has signs of liver or pancreas problems, such as: loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), ongoing nausea or vomiting, dark urine, swelling in the face, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other side effects:
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, or gums), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
- fever, swollen glands, mouth sores;
- confusion, tiredness, cold feeling, vomiting, change in your mental state;
- severe drowsiness; or
- worsening seizures.
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
- headache, back pain;
- dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tremors;
- memory problems, mood changes, trouble sleeping;
- bruising or bleeding;
- runny nose, sore throat, cough, wheezing, trouble breathing;
- fever, flu symptoms;
- problems with walking or coordination;
- swelling in your hands or feet;
- blurred vision, double vision, unusual eye movements;
- ringing in your ears;
- rash, hair loss; or
- changes in weight or appetite.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Depakote Sprinkle Capsules (Divalproex Sodium Sprinkle Capsules)
Depakote Sprinkle Capsules Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling:
- Hepatic failure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Birth defects [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Decreased IQ following in utero exposure [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Pancreatitis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Hyperammonemic encephalopathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Suicidal behavior and ideation [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Bleeding and other hematopoietic disorders [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Hypothermia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
- Somnolence in the elderly [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Epilepsy
Based on a placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive therapy for treatment of complex partial seizures, Depakote was generally well tolerated with most adverse reactions rated as mild to moderate in severity. Intolerance was the primary reason for discontinuation in the Depakotetreated patients (6%), compared to 1% of placebo-treated patients.
In a long term (12-month) safety study in pediatric patients (n=169) between the ages of 3 and 10 years old, no clinically meaningful differences in the adverse event profile were observed when compared to adults.
Table 2 lists treatment-emergent adverse reactions which were reported by ≥ 5% of Depakotetreated patients and for which the incidence was greater than in the placebo group, in the placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive therapy for treatment of complex partial seizures. Since patients were also treated with other antiepilepsy drugs, it is not possible, in most cases, to determine whether the following adverse reactions can be ascribed to Depakote alone, or the combination of Depakote and other antiepilepsy drugs.
Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥ 5% of
Patients Treated with Valproate During Placebo-Controlled Trial of Adjunctive
Therapy for Complex Partial Seizures
Body System/Event | Depakote (%) (n = 77) |
Placebo (%) (n = 70) |
Body as a Whole | ||
Headache | 31 | 21 |
Asthenia | 27 | 7 |
Fever | 6 | 4 |
Gastrointestinal System | ||
Nausea | 48 | 14 |
Vomiting | 27 | 7 |
Abdominal Pain | 23 | 6 |
Diarrhea | 13 | 6 |
Anorexia | 12 | 0 |
Dyspepsia | 8 | 4 |
Constipation | 5 | 1 |
Nervous System | ||
Somnolence | 27 | 11 |
Tremor | 25 | 6 |
Dizziness | 25 | 13 |
Diplopia | 16 | 9 |
Amblyopia/Blurred Vision | 12 | 9 |
Ataxia | 8 | 1 |
Nystagmus | 8 | 1 |
Emotional Lability | 6 | 4 |
Thinking Abnormal | 6 | 0 |
Amnesia | 5 | 1 |
Respiratory System | ||
Flu Syndrome | 12 | 9 |
Infection | 12 | 6 |
Bronchitis | 5 | 1 |
Rhinitis | 5 | 4 |
Other | ||
Alopecia | 6 | 1 |
Weight Loss | 6 | 0 |
Table 3 lists treatment-emergent adverse reactions which were reported by ≥ 5% of patients in the high dose valproate group, and for which the incidence was greater than in the low dose group, in a controlled trial of Depakote monotherapy treatment of complex partial seizures. Since patients were being titrated off another antiepilepsy drug during the first portion of the trial, it is not possible, in many cases, to determine whether the following adverse reactions can be ascribed to Depakote alone, or the combination of valproate and other antiepilepsy drugs.
Table 3: Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥ 5% of
Patients in the High Dose Group in the Controlled Trial of Valproate
Monotherapy for Complex Partial Seizuresa
Body System/Event | High Dose (%) (n = 131) |
Low Dose (%) (n = 134) |
Body as a Whole | ||
Asthenia | 21 | 10 |
Digestive System | ||
Nausea | 34 | 26 |
Diarrhea | 23 | 19 |
Vomiting | 23 | 15 |
Abdominal Pain | 12 | 9 |
Anorexia | 11 | 4 |
Dyspepsia | 11 | 10 |
Hemic/Lymphatic System | ||
Thrombocytopenia | 24 | 1 |
Ecchymosis | 5 | 4 |
Metabolic/Nutritional | ||
Weight Gain | 9 | 4 |
Peripheral Edema | 8 | 3 |
Nervous System | ||
Tremor | 57 | 19 |
Somnolence | 30 | 18 |
Dizziness | 18 | 13 |
Insomnia | 15 | 9 |
Nervousness | 11 | 7 |
Amnesia | 7 | 4 |
Nystagmus | 7 | 1 |
Depression | 5 | 4 |
Respiratory System | ||
Infection | 20 | 13 |
Pharyngitis | 8 | 2 |
Dyspnea | 5 | 1 |
Skin and Appendages | ||
Alopecia | 24 | 13 |
Special Senses | ||
Amblyopia/Blurred Vision | 8 | 4 |
Tinnitus | 7 | 1 |
a Headache was the only adverse event that occurred in ≥ 5% of patients in the high dose group and at an equal or greater incidence in the low dose group. |
The following additional adverse reactions were reported by greater than 1% but less than 5% of the 358 patients treated with valproate in the controlled trials of complex partial seizures:
Body as a Whole: Back pain, chest pain, malaise.
Cardiovascular System: Tachycardia, hypertension, palpitation.
Digestive System: Increased appetite, flatulence, hematemesis, eructation, pancreatitis, periodontal abscess.
Hemic and Lymphatic System: Petechia.
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: SGOT increased, SGPT increased.
Musculoskeletal System: Myalgia, twitching, arthralgia, leg cramps, myasthenia.
Nervous System: Anxiety, confusion, abnormal gait, paresthesia, hypertonia, incoordination, abnormal dreams, personality disorder.
Respiratory System: Sinusitis, cough increased, pneumonia, epistaxis.
Skin and Appendages: Rash, pruritus, dry skin.
Special Senses: Taste perversion, abnormal vision, deafness, otitis media.
Urogenital System: Urinary incontinence, vaginitis, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, urinary frequency.
Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Depakote. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Dermatologic: Hair texture changes, hair color changes, photosensitivity, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, nail and nail bed disorders, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Psychiatric: Emotional upset, psychosis, aggression, psychomotor hyperactivity, hostility, disturbance in attention, learning disorder, and behavioral deterioration.
Neurologic: There have been several reports of acute or subacute cognitive decline and behavioral changes (apathy or irritability) with cerebral pseudoatrophy on imaging associated with valproate therapy; both the cognitive/behavioral changes and cerebral pseudoatrophy reversed partially or fully after valproate discontinuation.
Musculoskeletal: Fractures, decreased bone mineral density, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and weakness.
Hematologic: Relative lymphocytosis, macrocytosis, leukopenia, anemia including macrocytic with or without folate deficiency, bone marrow suppression, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, and acute intermittent porphyria.
Endocrine: Irregular menses, secondary amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, elevated testosterone level, breast enlargement, galactorrhea, parotid gland swelling, polycystic ovary disease, decreased carnitine concentrations, hyponatremia, hyperglycinemia, and inappropriate ADH secretion.
There have been rare reports of Fanconi's syndrome occurring chiefly in children.
Metabolism and nutrition: Weight gain.
Reproductive: Aspermia, azoospermia, decreased sperm count, decreased spermatozoa motility, male infertility, and abnormal spermatozoa morphology.
Genitourinary: Enuresis and urinary tract infection.
Special Senses: Hearing loss.
Other: Allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, developmental delay, bone pain, bradycardia, and cutaneous vasculitis.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Depakote Sprinkle Capsules (Divalproex Sodium Sprinkle Capsules)
&Copy; Depakote Sprinkle Capsules Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Depakote Sprinkle Capsules Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.