Depakote (DEH-pah-kote) is the brand name used in the United States for the seizure medicine divalproex (di-VAL-pro-eks) sodium. Depakote ER is a different form of the same medicine, designed so that most people need to take the pills only once a day instead of two to four times a day.

Depakote ER became available in the United States in 2000. It is not available in Canada, the UK, or Australia. Depakote ER was first used to prevent migraine headaches but in 2002 the FDA approved it for the treatment of several kinds of seizures. Even before its approval for epilepsy, however, many neurologists were prescribing it for epilepsy patients, for two reasons:

• Taking pills only once a day is more convenient and people are less likely to forget doses.
• The level of medicine in the blood does not fluctuate as much with Depakote ER as it does with regular Depakote.

Divalproex sodium, the active ingredient in Depakote ER, is a compound of two substances, both of which are used as seizure medicines. In the body, all these medicines are changed to valproate (val-PRO-ate), so their effects are virtually identical. The other valproate medicines in the United States are Depakene, Depacon (given by injection), and some generic (non–brand name) forms. Depakote is not available in generic form.

Depakote has been available in the United States since 1983, so doctors have plenty of experience in using it.

Forms
Depakote ER is marketed in the United States by Abbott Laboratories. The name or appearance may differ in other places. The dose (measured in milligrams, abbreviated "mg") usually will be the same. These descriptions apply to U.S. versions:

Tablets
Depakote ER is available in two doses:

	250-mg White ovaloid tablets with Abbott logo and "HF".
	500-mg Gray ovaloid tablets with Abbott logo and "HC".

There is no generic version of Depakote ER.

How to take and store Depakote ER
Depakote ER tablets should be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed. They can be taken either with food or without food. Many people find that taking the tablets with food reduces the chances of stomach upset. It's best to be consistent about always taking it with food or not, especially when treatment is beginning.

Depakote ER tablets should be stored at room temperature and protected from heat and moisture. (The bathroom may be a poor place to store Depakote ER.) Also be sure to keep the pills where children can't get them.

Be careful if the doctor writes a new prescription using a different kind of pill. For example, if you've been using 250-mg tablets and the new prescription is for 500-mg tablets, be careful to use the correct number. Don't automatically continue to use the same number of pills as before.

What if I forget?
Do your best to follow the doctor's directions. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, delay that dose instead of taking two doses close together. Since Depakote ER is generally taken once every 24 hours, allow an interval of about 12 hours before taking the second dose, and then resume a 24-hour schedule the next day. If you're not sure about what to do, call the doctor's office for advice.

If you forget doses often, it may be a good idea to get a special pillbox or watch with an alarm to remind you.

Taking the right amount of seizure medicine on time every single day is the most important step in preventing seizures!