Divalproex 500 mg

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Divalproex Summary

Divalproex is a medication consisting of valproic acid and sodium valproate, used primarily to treat seizures and bipolar disorder and prevent migraines. It works by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a key chemical that calms excitation of nerves and helps stabilize mood and control seizures. Common side effects include nausea, sleepiness, tremors, hair thinning, weight gain, and liver-related issues; the drug should be avoided in individuals with liver dysfunction, and particularly in pregnant women, due to the risk of harm to the fetus. Consuming it with food can reduce gastrointestinal discomfort, but high-fat meals may slow its absorption. Alcohol intensifies sedative effects and should be avoided.

Divalproex Uses 

Divalproex 500 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of anticonvulsant drugs and is used for the following indications:

1. Seizures 
2. Migraines 
3. Bipolar disorder 

Divalproex side effects

More Common

1. Black, tarry stools 
2. Bleeding gums 
3. Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet 
4. Blood in the urine or stools 
5. Chills 
6. Confusion 
7. Cough 
8. Delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness 
9. Diarrhea 
10. Difficult or labored breathing 
11. Dysphoria 
12. False beliefs that cannot be changed by facts 
13. False or unusual sense of well-being 
14. Feeling of unreality 
15. Fever 
16. General feeling of discomfort or illness 
17. Headache 
18. Hoarseness 
19. Joint pain 
20. Loss of appetite 
21. Lower back or side pain 
22. Mental depression 
23. Muscle aches and pains 
24. Nausea 
25. Nervousness 
26. Painful or difficult urination 
27. Pinpoint red spots on the skin 
28. Poor insight and judgment 
29. Problems with memory or speech 
30. Rapid weight gain 
31. Rapidly changing moods 
32. Runny nose 
33. Sense of detachment from self or body 
34. Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet 
35. Shivering 
36. Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness 
37. Sore throat 
38. Sweating 
39. Tightness in the chest 
40. Tingling of the hands or feet 
41. Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet 
42. Trouble recognizing objects 
43. Trouble sleeping 
44. Trouble thinking and planning 
45. Trouble walking 
46. Unusual bleeding or bruising 
47. Unusual tiredness or weakness 
48. Unusual weight gain or loss 
49. Vomiting 

Less Common

1. Abnormal dreams 
2. Absence of or decrease in body movement 
3. Anxiety 
4. Bloody nose 
5. Blurred vision 
6. Bruising, burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings 
7. Change in personality 
8. Change in walking and balance 
9. Changes in patterns and rhythms of speech 
10. Chest pain 
11. Cloudy urine 
12. Clumsiness or unsteadiness 
13. Cold sweats 
14. Constipation 
15. Dark urine 
16. Deep or fast breathing with dizziness 
17. Degenerative disease of the joint 
18. Difficulty with moving 
19. Dizziness 
20. Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position 
21. Dry mouth 
22. Excessive muscle tone 
23. Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse 
24. Feeling of warmth or heat 
25. Flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck 
26. Frequent urge to urinate 
27. Heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding 
28. Increased need to urinate 
29. Indigestion 
30. Lack of coordination 
31. Large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin 
32. Leg cramps 
33. Lip smacking or puckering 
34. Loss of bladder control 
35. Loss of strength or energy 
36. Multiple swollen and inflamed skin lesions 
37. Muscle pain or stiffness 
38. Muscle tension or tightness 
39. Normal menstrual bleeding occurring earlier, possibly lasting longer than expected 
40. Numbness of the feet, hands and around mouth 
41. Pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back 
42. Passing urine more often 
43. Pounding in the ears 
44. Puffing of the cheeks 
45. Rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue 
46. Rapid weight gain 
47. Restlessness 
48. Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there 
49. Shakiness and unsteady walk 
50. Slurred speech 
51. Small red or purple spots on the skin 
52. Sweating 
53. Swollen joints 
54. Trouble with speaking 
55. Twitching 
56. Uncontrolled chewing movements 
57. Uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs 
58. Unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination 
59. Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds 
60. Yellow eyes or skin 

How Divalproex works 

Divalproex is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. In epilepsy, the brain’s signals can go out of control, causing sudden shaking or confusion. Divalproex works by boosting a calming chemical called GABA, which helps slow these signals down. It also puts a brake on overactive nerve pathways by blocking certain sodium and calcium channels. In bipolar disorder, it helps balance extreme mood swings from feeling very high to very low, keeping emotions steady. Think of it as a traffic controller for brain signals, helping everything move smoothly and safely. That’s how it brings calm and control to the mind. 

Safety Measures and Warning 

Allergies or Hypersensitivity

ell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. These products may have chances to interact with the medicine and cause any side effects.

Pregnancy

Divalproex can harm baby growth if taken during pregnancy, especially affecting the brain and development. Doctors only use it if no safer medicine works, in case choosing the smallest helpful dose

Breastfeeding

Divalproex passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop divalproex. 

Kidney and Liver Problems

Patients suffering from kidney and liver problems are more prone to kidney and liver damage due to the use of this medicine. Divalproex can affect patients with urea cycle disorders and worsen the conditions; urea cycle disorders are some genetic disorders that occur in the liver that affect the conversion of toxic ammonia to urea, which is a less toxic form. 

Divalproex Interaction with Food Product

Avoid alcohol and smoking while using this medicine. Alcohol and smoking can simultaneously affect the drug’s action, so they may cause severe drowsiness and sedation as they act on the brain directly. 

Divalproex Interaction with Other Medicines

Avoid taking Divalproex 500 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:

Divalproex Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/Chemical name

2-propylpentanoic acid and  propylpentanoic acid (1:1)  

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take Divalproex exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor. 

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage

Overdose

It is not recommended to take more than 500 mg of divalproex per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, unconsciousness, sweating, double vision, high blood pressure, hallucinations, confusion, and slurred speech. Immediately seek medical care in case of any overdose symptoms. 

Storage

1. Store the medicine at room temperature.
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture.
3. Keep out of reach of children.

Directions for use 

1. If you forget to take divalproex, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. 
2. Take divalproex exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day. 
3. Do not stop taking divalproex without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 

FAQ’s

What are the side effects of divalproex tablets use? 

divalproex, commonly used for the treatment of depression and anxiety, can also have side effects that include severe drowsiness, mania, and arrhythmias. So, people should be careful while taking medicine. 

What is the drug class of divalproex?

Divalproex belongs to the class of anticonvulsants used to control seizures, migraines, and bipolar disorders 

What is the mechanism of action of divalproex sodium? 

Divalproex is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. In epilepsy, the brain’s signals can go out of control, causing sudden shaking or confusion. Divalproex works by boosting a calming chemical called GABA, which helps slow these signals down. And In bipolar disorder, it helps balance extreme mood swings from feeling very high to very low, keeping emotions steady. Think of it as a traffic controller for brain signals, helping everything move smoothly and safely. That’s how it brings calm and control to the mind.

What are the uses of divalproex tablets? 

Divalproex is a medication consisting of valproic acid and sodium valproate, used primarily to treat seizures and bipolar disorder and prevent migraines.

Reference

1. Drugs.com. Divalproex sodium [Internet]. [updated 2024 Dec 1; cited 2025 Jul 11]. Available from. 
2. WebMD. Depakote oral: Uses, side effects, interactions [Internet]. [updated 2024 Dec 1; cited 2025 Jul 11]. Available from. 
3. Mayo Clinic. Divalproex sodium (oral route): Description and brand names [Internet]. [updated 2024 Dec 1; cited 2025 Jul 11]. Available from. 
4. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5360559, Divalproex sodium [Internet]. [updated 2024 Dec 1; cited 2025 Jul 11]. Available from. 
5. Drug Bank. Divalproex sodium [Internet]. [updated 2024 Dec 1; cited 2025 Jul 11]. Available from. 

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy affiliated to Andhra University and from his 3rd year of graduation itself he was working as a freelance Medical and Publication writer and having expertise in Systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices he also reviewed more than 100 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, Sage Journals and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in Pub Med, Scopus and Web of Science databases and received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published few systematic, narrative reviews and few chapters of international expertise.