Depakote can cause liver failure that may be fatal, especially in children under age 2 and in people with liver problems caused by certain genetic disorders.
You should not use divalproex if you have liver disease, a urea cycle disorder, low platelet counts, or a genetic disorder such as Alpers' disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome.
Do not start or stop taking Depakote during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Divalproex sodium may harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Do not use Depakote to prevent migraine headaches if you are pregnant.
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).
Do not stop using this medicine without your doctor's advice. Stopping suddenly may cause a serious, life-threatening type of seizure.
You should not use Depakote if you are allergic to divalproex sodium, 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.
Divalproex sodium can cause liver failure that may be fatal, especially in children under age 2 and in people with liver problems caused by a genetic mitochondrial disorder.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
liver problems caused by a genetic mitochondrial disorder;
depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions; or
a family history of a urea cycle disorder or infant deaths with unknown cause.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking Depakote. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Using Depakote during pregnancy may increase the risk of serious birth defects that can develop early in pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. Using this medicine during pregnancy can also affect cognitive ability (reasoning, intelligence, problem-solving) later in your child's life. However, having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby.
If you take Depakote for seizures or manic episodes: The benefit of preventing seizures or manic episodes may outweigh any risks posed by this medicine. There may be other medications that are safer to use during pregnancy. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice.
Do not use Depakote to prevent migraine headaches if you are pregnant or you could become pregnant.
If you are not pregnant, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while using Depakote. Tell your doctor if you start or stop using hormonal contraception that contains estrogen (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings). Estrogen can interact with divalproex sodium and make it less effective in preventing seizures.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
