Epilepsy divalproex sodium

Beydoun, A., Sackellares, J.C., and Shu, V. (1997) Safety and efficacy of divalproex sodium monotherapy in partial epilepsy a doubleblind, concentration-response design clinical trial. Depakote Monotherapy for Partial Seizures Study Group. Neurology 48 182-188. 

Divalproex sodium (Depakote ) is used to treat epilepsy and inhibits the firing of nerve cells. This medication appears to be a promising treatment for migraines, although its precise mechanism of action is unknown. 

Three antiepileptic drugs have now been FDA approved as mood stabilizers for the prevention of recurring episodes of mania divalproex sodium (Depakote), extended-release carbamazepine (Equetro), and lamotrigine (Lamictal). Many of these drugs are prescribed to children for the control of epilepsy and, increasingly, for bipolar disorder. A critical question is their effect on the developing mental and emotional function of children, but there is little research on the subject (Loring, 2005). 

Dutta S, Zhang Y, Selness DS, Lee LL, Williams LA, Sommerville KW. Comparison of the bioavailability of unequal doses of divalproex sodium extended-release formulation relative to the delayed-release formulation in healthy volunteers. Epilepsy Res 2002 49(1) 1-10. 

KM is a 20-year-old woman with a history of epilepsy and scoliosis. Her seizures have been controlled on a maintenance dosage of divalproex sodium. She is scheduled to undergo a spinal fusion, and will not be taking anything by mouth (NPO) for several days. Which factor should be taken into consideration for her postsurgical care ... 

Pharmacokinetics. Valproic acid appears to be absorbed completely from available oral dosage forms when administered on an empty stomach. However, the rate of absorption differs among preparations. Peak concentrations occur in 0.5 to 1 hour with the syrup, 1 to 3 hours with the capsule, and 2 to 6 hours with the enteric-coated tablet. The extended-release formulation (Depakote-ER) is FDA approved for use in both patients with migraine headache and epilepsy. It should be noted, however, that the bioavailability of this formulation is approximately 15% less than that of enteric-coated divalproex sodium (Depakote). 

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