PRODUCT DETAILS

About DEPAKENE SYRUP

VALPROIC ACID belongs to a group of anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, VALPROIC ACID also treats bipolar disorder and prevent symptoms of migraine (like a headache). Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures, sometimes leading to the unconscious state. 

Uses of DEPAKENE SYRUP

Epilepsy (fits), Bipolar disorder, Migraine

Medicinal Benefits of DEPAKENE SYRUP

VALPROIC ACID contains Valproic acid primarily used as first-line treatment for tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures, and myoclonic seizures; also effective for partial seizures. It is also used to prevent migraine headaches and bipolar disorders. VALPROIC ACID has a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activity, decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve cells activity in the brain. VALPROIC ACID works by increasing the release of GABA (a chemical messenger that acts as a nerve-calming agent) in the brain by acting on GABA receptors, thereby preventing episodes of fits by stabilizing nerve cells' electrical activity in the brain. VALPROIC ACID widely used in pediatric epilepsy because of its acceptable safety profile.

Directions for Use

VALPROIC ACID is available in tablets, capsules, syrup, and injection form. Take VALPROIC ACID with or without food. Based on your medical condition, your doctor will decide how long you need to take VALPROIC ACID. Oral tablet/capsule: Swallow VALPROIC ACID a whole with a water glass; do not chew, or break the tablet/capsule. Liquid syrup: Take the prescribed dose/quantity by mouth using the measuring cup provided by the pack; shake the pack well before each use. Injection: A healthcare professional will administer it; do not self-administer.

Side Effects of DEPAKENE SYRUP

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Tremors
• Tiredness
• Sleepiness
• Blurred vision 
• Headache
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Increased appetite

Similar Drugs

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

If you are known to be allergic to VALPROIC ACID or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Please consult your doctor before taking VALPROIC ACID if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Using this medicine during pregnancy may cause harm to the unborn baby also affect cognitive ability (reasoning, intelligence, problem-solving) later in your child's life. VALPROIC ACID should be used with caution in children. If you have depression, liver, kidney or pancreas problems, urea cycle disorders, Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (a genetic problem), porphyria (a disorder in the formation of red blood pigment) or thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets), inform your doctor before taking VALPROIC ACID. VALPROIC ACID causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with VALPROIC ACID as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies or mood swings. Do not stop using VALPROIC ACID without your doctor's advice. Stopping suddenly may cause a serious, life-threatening type of seizure.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction:

VALPROIC ACID may have interaction with pain killers (aspirin), anti-epileptics (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rufinamide, topiramate, acetazolamide, lamotrigine, felbamate), blood thinner (warfarin), anti-HIV (zidovudine, lopinavir, ritonavir), anti-depressant (moclobemide, selegiline, linezolid, amitriptyline, sertraline, uetiapine, diazepam, olanzapine), anti-psychotic (quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone), antibiotics (panipenem, imipenem, meropenem, rifampicin, erythromycin ), antimalarial (mefloquine, chloroquine) medicine used to treat cancer(temozolomide), calcium channel blocker (nimodipine), anaesthetic (propofol), hormone (oestrogen, levonorgestrel), antacid (cimetidine), bile-acid sequestrant (cholestyramine).

Drug-Disease Interaction:

 VALPROIC ACID may have interactions with disease conditions such as depression, liver disease, urea cycle disorders, suicidal tendency, HIV disease, thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets).

Safety Advice

ALCOHOL

Do not consume alcohol while taking VALPROIC ACID as alcohol can worsen the side effects of the VALPROIC ACID including sleepiness and dizziness.

PREGNANCY

VALPROIC ACID is a Category D pregnancy drug. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause an increase in the risk of the cleft lip that is a congenital disability in the unborn baby. If you are a female able to have a baby you must use an effective method of birth control (contraception) without interruption during your entire treatment with VALPROIC ACID.

BREAST FEEDING

Caution is advised when VALPROIC ACID is using in nursing mothers as this medicine may pass into breast milk. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking VALPROIC ACID. Breastfed infants are at risk for valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity, so infants should be monitored for jaundice and other signs of liver damage during maternal therapy.

DRIVING

VALPROIC ACID may cause dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy or tired after taking VALPROIC ACID.

LIVER

Avoid taking VALPROIC ACID if you have liver problems, or your family has a history of liver problems. VALPROIC ACID 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. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.

KIDNEY

VALPROIC ACID should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease as the dosage needs to be reduced in patients dealing with kidney disease.