Is anger a side effect of Depakote?
Divalproex sodium may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Can you drink alcohol while on Depakote?
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of divalproex sodium such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with divalproex sodium.
What happens when a bipolar person drinks alcohol?
Alcohol is known to intensify bipolar disorder due to its sedating effects. It acts similarly to some medications, risking feelings of depression with each swig of alcohol. Alcohol also greatly increases the severity of mania, which many who suffer from bipolar find extremely pleasurable.
Does Depakote help with aggression?
Conclusion: This study suggests that divalproex sodium is an effective treatment for impulsive aggressive behavior in some patients with personality disorder who fail to respond to other antiaggressive agents (i.e., SSRIs).
What does Depakote do for bipolar?
Anticonvulsants are sometimes taken to treat the manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Depakote is sometimes prescribed when patients experience rapid cycling of mood episodes and works by calming the hyperactivity of the brain during mania.
What percentage of alcoholics are bipolar?
Susan C. Sonne, PharmD, and Kathleen T. Brady, M.D., Ph. D.
| Any substance abuse or dependence (%) | Alcohol abuse (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Bipolar Disorder | 56.1 | 16.1 |
| Bipolar I | 60.7 | 14.7 |
| Bipolar II | 48.1 | 18.4 |
| Unipolar Depression | 27.2 | 5.0 |
What happens when Depakote levels are too high?
Unusual weight gain or loss. Tremors. Blurred or double vision, uncontrolled eye movements. Mood swings.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Depakote?
While alcohol is not considered a drug, it is a CNS depressant, which can react with Depakote (Divalproex Sodium) to produce adverse health effects. Depakote is a CNS-acting drug usually prescribed for migraines, seizures and bipolar disorder.
How is valproate used to treat bipolar disorder?
Valproate is a mood stabilizer medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), seizures (epilepsy), and migraine headaches. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and/or mania.
How does alcoholism affect the course of bipolar disorder?
A growing number of studies have shown that substance abuse, including alcoholism, may worsen the clinical course of bipolar disorder. Sonne and colleagues (1994) evaluated the course and features of bipolar disorder in patients with and without a lifetime substance use disorder.
What’s the difference between valproate and Depakote?
Note: Throughout this fact sheet, the medication will be referred to as valproate. Even though valproate is available in different names, strengths, and formulations, all provide the same active medicine. All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet.