Divalproex (Depakote ER) Uses

Divalproex is used, alone or with other antiepileptic drugs, to treat certain types of seizures, including complex partial seizures and simple and complex absence seizures. It is also used to treat people with multiple seizure types, including absence seizures. Additionally, divalproex is used for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes in people with bipolar disorder. It is also used to prevent migraine headaches.

There may be other uses of divalproex—your doctor or health system pharmacists can give you further drug information.

Divalproex (Depakote ER) Mechanism of Action

Divalproex increases the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a natural substance in the brain that has inhibitory effects. Divalproex, therefore, helps control seizures by reducing abnormal brain activity.

Divalproex (Depakote ER) Doses

Divalproex is available as 250 mg and 500 mg extended release tablets (Depakote ER tablets) to be taken by mouth once a day. This medication is used for sole and adjunctive therapy. Meaning Depakote ER may be used alone, or it may be used to treat severe seizure disorders accompanied by other medicines. The usual Depakote ER dosage is as follows:

• For treatment of complex partial seizures: The initial dose is 10 to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. This can be increased at weekly intervals by 5-10 mg/kg/day to achieve an optimal clinical response or the desired blood levels of the drug. Your doctor will monitor serum valproate concentrations and adjust the dose. The maximum recommended dose is 60 mg/kg/day. 
• For treatment of absence seizures: The usual starting dose is 15 mg/kg/day. This can be increased at weekly intervals by 5-10 mg/kg/day until adequate symptom control (seizure control) is achieved or dose-limiting side effects occur. The maximum recommended dosage is 60 mg/kg/day. 
• For treatment of manic episodes in bipolar disorder: The starting dose is usually 25 mg/kg/day. This is increased as quickly as possible to achieve the desired blood level of the drug or provide adequate symptom control. The maximum recommended dose is 60 mg/kg/day.
• For prevention of migraine: The recommended starting dose is 500 mg/day for one week, and then increased to 1,000 mg per day.

If you are taking Depakote capsules, delayed-release tablets, sprinkle capsules, or the liquid solution, your doctor will tell you the correct dose for these formulations.