What it means
An anticonvulsant that also works as a mood stabilizer. Divalproex (Depakote) is a form of the same drug. It carries boxed warnings for liver failure, pancreatitis and harm to an unborn baby (neural tube defects and lower IQ), so it is avoided in pregnancy when possible. It can also lower the platelet count and raise the blood ammoniauh-MOH-nyuhA waste product of protein breakdown that the liver normally changes into urea; its blood level is measured in a lab test.Full entry level.
For the nurse
Check liver tests and the platelet count before and during treatment, and drug levels as ordered (a usual target for seizures is 50–100 mcg/mL [350–700 µmol/L]). Teach the client to report stomach pain, vomiting, yellow skin, easy bruising or unusual tiredness. Swallow delayed-release and extended-release tablets whole. People who could become pregnant need effective birth control.
At a glance
| Drug class | anticonvulsant; mood stabilizer |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Depakene, Depakote |
| Spanish | ácido valproico |
| Also written | divalproex, valproate, Depakene, Depakote, valproates |
Related terms
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
seizure
A sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that changes movement, feeling, behavior or awareness.
ammonia
A waste product of protein breakdown that the liver normally changes into urea; its blood level is measured in a lab test.
carbamazepine
A drug used to prevent seizures, to treat a type of facial nerve pain and to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.
therapeutic range
The span of blood levels of a drug that is high enough to work but low enough to avoid toxic effects.