Divalproex Sodium Extended Release (ER)

How should you use this medication?
Take this medicine by mouth with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor’s advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 10 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
changes in vision
rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
unusual bleeding or bruising

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation
diarrhea
dizziness
hair loss
headache
loss of appetite
weight gain

What may interact with this medicine?
Our pharmacists will check to see if this medication will cause any interactions with the information in your profile.
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

sodium phenylbutyrate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

aspirin
certain antibiotics like ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem
certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, clonazepam, diazepam, ethosuximide, felbamate, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide, topiramate
certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
cholestyramine
female hormones, like estrogens and birth control pills, patches, or rings
propofol
rifampin
ritonavir
tolbutamide
zidovudine