Small amounts of divalproex have been shown to be excreted in breast milk, so should be used with caution while breast-feeding.For more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider, or you can visit this website, Having bladder frequency and urgency taking Depakote.any way to combat these side effects.I have been on the generic form of Depakote,(Divalproex ER, 500 mg.) caplets for 17 years. This article takes a systematic look at the literature regarding the efficacy of using valproic acid (Depakote) as an adjunctive (additional to an antipsychotic) medication for schizophrenia. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. I told him of my overall memory lapses that had nothing to do with serving. Valproate as an adjunct to antipsychotics for schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomized trials.This article takes a systematic look at the literature regarding the efficacy of using valproic acid (Depakote) as an adjunctive (additional to an antipsychotic) medication for schizophrenia. Over the last year or so, I have had problems with my overall memory. I was told this, along with the Gabatril he prescribed off script too, helps control my night terrors from PTSD. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. However, the benefit wears out and was gone by the end of the study that showed this benefit, so it is unclear whether it means that the valproic acid should be continued or stopped after the acute situation resolves. Seroquel (quetiapine) and Depakote (divalproex sodium) are used to treat bipolar disorder. If they aren't doing well, it might be worth a try to add it if there are no strong reasons to stay away from it (poor liver function, pregnancy or intent to become pregnant or history of weight gain or nonresponse to valproic acid.) I said it was done over a six month period. These authors searched the literature and came up with several articles that seemed relevant. Well, if they are already stable on medication, it is not something that they need to have. 2. valproate augmentation of antipsychotic medication is an effective treatment for the same illnesses. Copyright © 1995-2020 Psych Central. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (preferably not in the bathroom). Small trials have suggested that there may be a general decrease in negative symptoms (flat affect, constricted emotions, low energy, low motivation, poor hygiene) that is sometimes the most debilitating aspect of schizophrenia for many people.

Doctor insights on: Depakote For Schizophrenia 1. Do not miss any doses.Divalproex effects may be increased by erythromycin, cimetidine, salicylates, and decreased by carbamazepine. Who Created Depakote?

There are upsides and downsides to polypharmacy (the use of more than one medication to treat a particular condition.) The data currently is inconclusive to the benefit for valproic acid augmentation and therefore it is not possible to give a blanket recommendation one way or the other. The results presented in this paper are equivocal at best. It does seem though, that valproic acid is useful in the case of schizoaffective disorder when there is a need for mood stability. Depakote is not an approved medication for schizophrenia; it’s a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder and/or acute mania. They also pled guilty to marketing it as a medication for Schizophrenia, despite their studies that negated its use for this disorder. Upon applying certain standards, five articles met the eligibility requirement to be included in the review and meta-analysis. I was told there was no requirement in place for long term review of a medication that is not “presenting” a substantial and consistent negative effect.

1. valproate alone is an effective treatment for schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychoses; and. A 2014 study found that it may help to reduce aggressiveness in schizophrenia as an “off-label” use. I was told that possible side effects of a drug during test trials that are less than one half of one percent of the original study of the medication are not required to be reported.
It works to “balance” depression and mania so a person won’t experience extreme mood fluctuations. My spouse found out I had reduced my dosage, and then all of a sudden my spouse said I was “moody and seem up and down on my personality.” They said to discuss this with my psychiatrist. I got myself down to 1000 mg on my own, slowly, because I have cirrhosis of the liver, and my Gastro Doctor said Depakote is really hard on my liver. Continue to take this medicine even if you feel well. I did and was told it was “very dangerous” in reducing my dosage too quickly. PTSD related episodes, and night terrors. I was told that “the benefits of the medication outweigh the side effects.” I said that NOWHERE on any of the paperwork that I get with every refill of Depakote does it even mention “memory loss” as a RARE OR ANY REPORTED side effect related to memories. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose for best results.Depakote Sprinkle Capsules may be swallowed whole, or broken open and sprinkled on some soft food. Depakote (Divalproex) is an anticonvulsant used to prevent seizures. It targets a neurotransmitter (chemical in the brain that turns on or off neurons or brain cells) called GABA which is a neurotransmitter that typically has a turning-off effect on brain cells. That can be useful if they only have a short time in the hospital and cannot afford to wait the couple of weeks to get full effect by the antipsychotic alone. On the one hand, the more meds you have someone take, the greater risk there is for side effects and drug interactions. However, there is some minor evidence that valproic acid may help speed up the initial recovery of someone when starting or restarting them on antipsychotic medication. Swallow Depakote tablets or Depakote ER tablets whole.

Do not chew or crush.Take your next dose as soon as you remember. This medicine is a mood stabilizer and is typically a first line drug for treating bipolar disorder.

However, if things are not working, it might be worth a try if it hasn't been tried in the past.Daily Schizophrenia-related news, commentary and links to additional information.