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About the Drug
 DEPAKOTE®
has proven to be the most effective of the preventive or prophylactic
Migraine regiments. After careful testing and a good anti-migraine
program by this drug company, this existing Epilepsy medication is
administered in a dose appropriate to Migraine prophylaxis and has
now been approved by the FDA for Migraine prophylaxis. As Migraine
and Epilepsy are Related diseases, this is actually a sound approach.
About the Dose
- Recommended starting dose for Migraine prophylaxis is 250 mg
twice daily.
- Some patients may benefit from up to 1000 mg/day.
- In the clinical trials, there was no evidence that higher doses
lead to greater efficacy.
When to take DEPAKOTE®
DEPAKOTE® is taken as a preventive approach. That is, to lessen
the number of Migraine attacks and lessen the severity of those attacks.
According to the manufacturer the results are typical of what you
can expect to see‹
DEPAKOTE®-treated patients had a mean 4-week Migraine rate of
3.5 (SE=0.38) during the treatment phase which was significantly lower
than the placebo mean rate of 5.7 (SE=0.59) (P<0.001)
48% (33/69) of DEPAKOTE®-treated patients had a 50% or greater
reduction in Migraine rate from baseline compared to 14% of the placebo
group, a significant difference (P<0.001)
DEPAKOTE® and Pregnacy
DEPAKOTE® is used to prevent or reduce the number of Migraines
you experience. DEPAKOTE® can be obtained only by prescription
from your doctor. The decision to use DEPAKOTE® for the prevention
of Migraines is one that you and your doctor should make together,
taking into account your individual needs and medical condition.
Before using DEPAKOTE®, a woman who can become pregnant should
consider the fact that DEPAKOTE® has been associated with birth
defects, in particular, with spina bifida and other defects related
to failure of the spinal canal to close normally. Although the incidence
is unknown in Migraine patients treated with DEPAKOTE®, approximately
1 to 2% of children born to women with epilepsy taking DEPAKOTE®
in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy had these defects (based on data
from the Centers for Disease Control, a U.S. agency based in Atlanta).
The incidence in the general population is 0.1 to 0.2%.
Information For Women Who Are Planning To Get Pregnant
Women taking DEPAKOTE® for the prevention of Migraine who are
planning to get pregnant should discuss with their doctor temporarily
stopping DEPAKOTE®, before and during their pregnancy.
Regarding Women Who Become Pregnant While Taking DEPAKOTE®
If you become pregnant while taking DEPAKOTE® for the prevention
of Migraine, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Facts About Birth Defects
It is important to know that birth defects may occur even in children
of individuals not taking any medications or without any additional
risk factors.
DEPAKOTE® and Other Medications
It is especially important that
your health care professional know if you are taking any of the
following: Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) (with long-term, high-dose
use) or, Amiodarone (e.g., Cordarone), anabolic steroids (nandrolone
[e.g., Anabolin], oxandrolone [e.g., Anavar], oxymetholone [e.g.,
Anadrol], stanozolol [e.g., Winstrol]), androgens (male hormones),
barbiturates, Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol), Carmustine (e.g., BiCNU),
Dantrolene (e.g., Dantrium), Daunorubicin (e.g., Cerubidine),
Disulfiram (e.g., Antabuse), Estrogens, Methotrexate (e.g., Mexate),
Phenothiazines (acetophenazine [e.g., Tindal], chlorpromazine [e.g.,
Thorazine], fluphenazine [e.g., Prolixin], mesoridazine [e.g.,
Serentil], perphenazine [e.g., Trilafon], prochlorperazine [e.g.,
Compazine], promazine [e.g., Sparine], promethazine [e.g., Phenergan],
thioridazine [e.g., Mellaril], trifluoperazine [e.g., Stelazine],
triflupromazine [e.g., Vesprin], trimeprazine [e.g., Temaril]),
tricyclic antidepressants (medicine for depression), Heparin--There is
an increased risk of side effects that may cause bleeding, other
anticonvulsants
Other Important Information About
DEPAKOTE® (divalproex sodium) Tablets, DEPAKOTE® SPRINKLES
AND DEPAKOTE ER® tablets
DEPAKOTE® tablets should be taken exactly as it is prescribed
by your doctor to get the most benefits from DEPAKOTE® and reduce
the risk of side effects. If you have taken more than the prescribed
dose of DEPAKOTE®, contact your hospital emergency room or local
poison center immediately. This medication was prescribed for your
particular condition. Do not use it for another condition or give
the drug to others.
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