Depakote
Depakote is the brand name of a drug that is known as Valproate semisodium (INN) or is sometimes also referred to as divalproex sodium (USAN). This drug contains a compound of “sodium valproate and valproic acid in a 1:1 molar relationship in an enteric coated form.” Depakote is readily used in both the United States as well as the United Kingdom for the treatment of manic behaviour for those who suffer from bipolar disorder and in particular the episodes of mania that are rapid in the cycling process. In the United States Depakote is also used for treating epilepsy as well as migraine headaches that are severe and chronic pain that goes along with neuropathy. The scientific name for Depakote is sodium hydrogen bis (or 2-propylpentanoate). There is a form of Depakote that is extended release (Depakote ER) and this kind of the drug is possible fro a single dose on a daily basis.

In the United Kingdom, Depakote has been used for select psychiatric conditions only and is generally only used for adults but has been effective in the treatment of 15 year old individuals on occasion when nothing else worked. Before Depakote was created, semisodium valproate was sold for a 30-year period as Epilim and it was geared towards those who suffer from epilepsy. Today there are other companies that sell the generic version of Depakote and Depakote ER.

There are side effects to taking Depakote and some are worse than others. The most serious sided effects of Depakote include fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and urine that is darker than usual. There is also the very real concern about liver damage when Depakote is taken for extended periods of time. However these are not the only serious side effects of Depakote. If you are taking Depakote and you experience hallucinations, extreme tiredness and/or unusual bouts of bleeding (such as bleeding when you urinate) then contact a doctor immediately.

Depakote is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories in Canada and is sold under the name Epival. In Brazil it is manufactured by the same laboratory but is sold under the name Depakote.In the United States and the United Kingdom it is sold as Depakote and Depakote ER but it is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories in the United States and Sanofi-Aventis in the UK.