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Brand Names: Depakene, Stavzor

Generic Name: valproic acid (Pronunciation: val PRO ik A sid)

• What is valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• What are the possible side effects of valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• How should I take valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• What should I avoid while taking valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• What other drugs will affect valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?

Valproic acid affects chemicals in the body that may be involved in causing seizures.

Valproic acid is used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Valproic acid is sometimes used together with other seizure medications.

Valproic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Valproic Acid 250 mg-IVA

white, imprinted with VALPROIC 250-0364

Valproic Acid 250 mg-SID

white, imprinted with LOGO 2120

What are the possible side effects of valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?

Seek emergency medical attention if the person taking this medicine has nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, or loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. Some of these symptoms may also be early signs of pancreatitis.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• unexplained weakness with vomiting and confusion or fainting;
• easy bruising or bleeding, blood in your urine;
• fever, chills, body aches, swollen glands, flu symptoms;
• urinating less than usual;
• hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there);
• extreme drowsiness, lack of coordination;
• double vision or back-and-forth movements of the eyes; or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild drowsiness or weakness;
• diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach;
• changes in your menstrual periods;
• enlarged breasts;
• tremor (shaking);
• hair loss;
• weight changes;
• vision changes; or
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor)?

Valproic acid may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby.

Valproic acid may also affect cognitive development in children born to mothers who take this medication during pregnancy. Studies have shown that these children may score lower on cognitive tests (reasoning, intelligence, and problem-solving) than children whose mothers took other seizure medications during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking valproic acid for seizures. Do not start or stop taking valproic acid during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.

In rare cases, valproic acid has caused life-threatening liver failure, especially in children younger than 2 years old.

Valproic acid has also caused rare cases of life-threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis can come on suddenly and symptoms may start even after you have been taking valproic acid for several years.

Seek emergency medical attention if the person taking this medicine has nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, or loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. Some of these symptoms may also be early signs of pancreatitis.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

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