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Depakene Drug Information
If you have epilepsy, your healthcare provider may prescribe Depakene® (valproic acid), a prescription medicine that can be used to treat complex partial seizures and simple or complex absence seizures. This product works by increasing the level of a certain chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It comes in the form of a syrup or capsule, and is typically taken one to three times a day.
Although most people tolerate it well, Depakene is known to cause side effects such as:
- Weight gain
- Blurred vision
- Nervousness
- Uncontrollable eye movements.
In order to determine if Depakene is the right drug for you, your healthcare provider needs information on your complete medical history and any other medicines you are taking -- including nonprescription products, vitamins, and supplements. Depakene can react negatively with certain medications.
(For more information on this epilepsy drug, click Depakene. This article takes an in-depth look at the factors that will affect your dose, other potential side effects, and tips to help you get the most out of each dose.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD