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|Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets

Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets

Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets is used for:

Controlling certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets is an anticonvulsant. Exactly how it works is unknown.

Do NOT use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets
• you have a history of liver problems or a urea cycle disorder

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets:

Some medical conditions may interact with Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of metabolic disease, blood disease, HIV, high blood levels of ammonia or glutamine, low levels of albumin, brain problems (eg, organic brain disease), mental retardation, inflammation of the pancreas, kidney problems, or low levels of white blood cells, or if you are scheduled for surgery
• if you have a history of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency or unexplained coma
• if you have a family history of urea cycle disorders or unexplained infant deaths

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), carbamazepine, erythromycin, felbamate, fluoxetine, guanfacine, isoniazid, ketoconazole, risperidone, or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because the risk of serious side effects of Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets, including changes in vision or other vision problems, clumsiness or unsteadiness, drowsiness, nausea, or vomiting, may be increased
• Acyclovir, cancer medicines, cholestyramine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), mefloquine, meropenem, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or rifampin because they may decrease Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets"s effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), ethosuximide, lamotrigine, methylphenidate, primidone, tolbutamide, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets
• Clonazepam because the risk of seizures may be increased
• Topiramate because the risk of high ammonium levels and brain problems may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets:

Use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Swallow Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Taking Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Do not stop taking Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets suddenly, especially if you are taking Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets to prevent seizures. Suddenly stopping Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets may cause life-threatening seizures.
• Continue to use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets works best when there is a constant level of it in your body.
• If you miss a dose of Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets.

Important safety information:

• Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Diabetes patients - Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets may cause the results of some tests for urine ketones to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including blood cell counts and liver function tests, may be performed while you use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially sleepiness.
• Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. CHILDREN younger than 2 years of age may be at increased risk of serious liver problems.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets while you are pregnant. Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets.

Possible side effects of Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Change in appetite; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; hair loss; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach pain; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight changes.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abdominal cramps; abnormal thinking; change in menstrual period; changes in mood or behavior; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; difficulty speaking; difficulty urinating or other urination problems; extreme tiredness; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; general body discomfort; hallucinations; hearing loss; involuntary movements of the arms and legs; involuntary movements or chewing movements of face, jaw, mouth, or tongue; joint pain; lack of energy; loss of appetite; loss of coordination; loss of seizure control; memory loss; nosebleed; pounding in the chest; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; sore throat; swelling of the arms or legs; tremor; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness; vision changes; yellowing of skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include deep sleep; drowsiness; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness.

Store Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.