Tell your doctor if you have any of the following: a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; a history of head injury, brain disorder, or coma; a family history of a urea cycle disorder; a family history of infant deaths with unknown cause; or HIV or CMV (cytomegalovirus) infection.

In rare cases, divalproex has caused life-threatening liver failure, especially in children younger than 2 years old. Children of this age may be at even greater risk of liver problems if they use more than one seizure medication, if they have a metabolic disorder, or if they have a brain disease causing mental impairment (such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington disease, multiple sclerosis, or a brain injury or infection).

Divalproex has also caused rare cases of life-threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis can come on suddenly and symptoms may start even after you have been taking divalproex for several years. Do not take divalproex if you have liver disease or a urea cycle disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use divalproex, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Under the FDA, this medication is in pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use divalproex without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment and use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Divalproex passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing infant. Do not take divalproex without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Divalproex should not be given to a child younger than 2 years of age without a doctor's consent.

 

FDA Information

Why is this medication prescribed?

Other uses for this medicine

Dosage and using this medicine

What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause?

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

In case of an emergency/overdose