Prescription medications marketed under the trade names Depakote and Depakote ER are one of the best available for treating various health conditions. The Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for their use in the treatment of bipolar illness, epilepsy, and migraine headaches.
But should you use Depakote for Anxiety? This article will go into details about the drug, side effects, and standard practices, read on for all you need to know before starting treatment on this medication.
What is Depakote?
Depakote (Divalproex sodium) seems to be beneficial in the treatment of panic disorder and related mood instability in persons who suffer from panic disorder and associated mood instability. Additionally, it may be more useful when used with a primary medication that isn’t functioning well for you.
Depakote is available in three different formulations:
Depakote delayed-release tablets may be used for the following conditions:
- treat people with bipolar illness for their mania.
- assist individuals with migraines to avoid them
- seizures (complex partial seizures and absence seizures) in children and people with epilepsy who are at least 10 years old.
Depakote delayed-release sprinkle capsules are licensed to:
- treat specific kinds of seizures (complex partial seizures and absence seizures) in adults and children aged 10 and older with epilepsy.
Extended-release tablets of Depakote ER (for bipolar disorder) have been licensed to:
- treat manic and mixed episodes in people with bipolar disorder.
- assist adult sufferers of migraines to avoid them.
- seizures in adults and children beyond the age of 10 (complex partial seizures and absence seizures)
Some Depakote drugs have been authorized for these use in limited circumstances and with specific restrictions. Many individuals, however, are interested in learning if Depakote is beneficial in the treatment of anxiety. Well, let’s find out how effective Depakote is for the treatment of Anxiety.
Does Depakote Work for Anxiety?
Depakote and Depakote ER were not licensed to treat anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia. Depakote and Depakote ER consequently had no suggested doses for these ailments. Even if other drugs have failed, they could be administered off-label for anxiety.
However, the fact that Bipolar illness is treated with Depakote and Depakote ER is a sign that they could be effective since anxiety is one of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. For example, these events may cause a person to feel anxious or depressed. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, may accompany severe manic or mixed episodes in certain patients. All these symptoms of schizophrenia may be compared to these.
Depakote Efficacy for Treating Anxiety
However, recent research tends to tilt this position and this is based on an experiment conducted to check for changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms. There were eight weeks of open trials with a variable dosage regimen at a referral tertiary care facility. It was decided to conduct the research on people with panic disorder who had not improved after completing a cognitive behavioral therapy program and using a typical anti-panic drug. The dosage of divalproex sodium used to achieve blood concentrations of 300 to 600 mumol/L (45 to 90 ug/ml) might be adjusted to meet the patient’s tolerance. Anxiety, sadness, mood swings, and overall well-being were all assessed using patient-reported questionnaires provided by both the patient and a trained rater.
Results of the Test: Thirteen persons participated in the study, with ten of them completing it successfully. A total of two patients dropped out of the research early because of drug-related side effects, and another dropped out within the first month of follow-up. All ten patients had a considerable reduction in their depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as their mood instability. There was also a statistically and clinically significant reduction in panic attacks and an increase in overall quality of life.
What are the Side Effects of Depakote?
For every medication, there are mostly side effects that some individuals react to. While we’ve discussed the efficacy of Depakote for Anxiety, it’s important to discuss Depakote’s side effects too.
With Depakote and Depakote ER, it is possible to have mild to severe side effects. Some of the most prevalent side effects linked with the use of either medication are mentioned in the following section. These are merely a few examples of the bad repercussions that might occur.
Consulting your doctor or pharmacist for more information on the possible side effects of Depakote and Depakote ER is a great step. Depakote and Depakote ER are prescription medications used to treat seizures. Aside from that, they may be able to provide guidance on how to cope with any undesired side effects that occur.
Let’s check out some of the top Depakote side effects anyway!
Mild Side Effects
Mild Depakote and Depakote ER side effects may include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach discomfort, or indigestion are all symptoms of digestive issues.
- Double or blurred vision is one example of a vision issue.
- hair thinning
- dizziness
- sleepiness
- sleeplessness (trouble sleeping)
- Weakness
- Memory lapses
- appetite rise or decrease
- increase or loss of weight
- headache
- Tremors in the body
- difficulties with coordination and walking
Most of these adverse effects should subside within a few days to a few weeks. However, if they worsen or do not go away, see your doctor or pharmacist.
Adverse Side Effects
Serious adverse effects with Depakote and Depakote ER are uncommon, although they can happen. If you have severe side effects, contact your doctor straight once. If your symptoms are life-threatening or you believe you are in a medical emergency, dial 911 or your local emergency number.
The following are examples of serious side effects and associated symptoms:
- Thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets in your blood).
- Hyperammonemia (high level of ammonia in your blood).
- Hypothermia (a body temperature of less than 95°F/35°C).
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Severe liver damage.
- Pancreatitis.
- Allergic response.
- If consumed during pregnancy, it may cause fetal damage.
Anxiety Treatment in San Diego, CA
Most of the information and research on the efficacy of Depakote for the treatment of anxiety shows that there is a lot of positive discovery to be made. However, the best approach at the moment is making use of Depakote with another prescribed drug which isn’t as effective as expected.
Regardless, you’ll get the best results by talking to a doctor before taking any steps. Call (858) 258-9883 and the doctors at the Mental Health Center of San Diego can help determine the safety of using Depakote, especially the dosage since there is no standard dosage yet.
