How long does it take to get valproic acid out of your system?

In healthy adults, it takes 2-3 days, on average, for most of the valproic acid to be gone from the body.

Can Depakote cause headaches?

Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: a fever, dark urine, headache, rash, stomach pain, swollen lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, unusual tiredness, or yellow eyes or skin. Divalproex sodium may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors.

When do you draw Depakote DR level?

It is recommended that trough levels for the DR version be drawn immediately prior to the morning dose, assuming a twice-daily dosing strategy. For once-daily divalproex ER regimens, the ideal time to draw serum levels is immediately prior to the next scheduled dose.

Is Depakote a lithium?

Depakote (divalproex sodium) and Lithobid (lithium carbonate) are used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Depakote is also used to treat epilepsy and migraine headaches.

What is better lithium or Depakote?

Patients taking lithium had lower rates of self-harm and unintentional injury compared to those taking other bipolar drugs, such as valproate (Depacon, Depakote), olanzapine (Zyprexa) or quetiapine (Seroquel), said lead researcher Joseph Hayes.

Can Depakote alone treat bipolar?

Three drugs are FDA-approved for the treatment of bipolar depression: quetiapine (Seroquel) by itself, olanzapine (Zyprexa) when used with fluoxetine (Prozac) (which also comes as a combination pill called Symbyax), and lurasidone (Latuda) used alone or with lithium or valproate (Depakote).

Which is better lithium or divalproex?

Divalproex was as effective in rapid-cycling manic patients as in other patients. Conclusions: Both divalproex and lithium were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing the symptoms of acute mania. The efficacy of divalproex appears to be independent of prior responsiveness to lithium.