Deprakine
Deprakine is a medicine that contains sodium valproate and is used to treat epilepsy and a mood disorder called mania.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
300 mg
Active Ingredient
Sodium valproate
Manufacturer
Sanofi Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the usual starting dose for epilepsy is 600-1500 mg daily. For mania, the recommended starting dose is 750 mg, with an average daily dose usually between 1000-2000 mg.
Method
Deprakine prolonged-release tablets are taken by mouth and must be swallowed whole.
Important
Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Tremors (shaking)
- •Anemia (low red blood cells), low platelets (small cells that help blood clot)
- •Changes in blood levels (e.g., sodium, insulin, HDL cholesterol), weight changes (gain or loss)
- •Feeling confused, seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations), aggression, agitation, trouble concentrating, loss of appetite
- •Drowsiness, memory problems, thinking difficulties, headache, fast uncontrolled eye movements, dizziness
- •Deafness (hearing loss)
- •Vomiting, upper stomach pain, and diarrhea (especially at the start of treatment)
- •Gum problems, mouth inflammation
- •Allergic reactions, temporary hair loss, nail and nail bed problems
- •Menstrual pain
- •Balance and coordination problems (unsteady walking)
- •Bruising easily or bleeding without a clear reason
- •Incontinence (uncontrolled urination)
RARE
- •Low white blood cell counts
- •Reduced urine output due to too much hormone secretion, too much male hormone secretion (e.g., increased hair growth, male-pattern hair growth in women, acne)
- •Temporary Parkinson's-like symptoms, uncoordinated movements, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, worsening seizures
- •Inflammation of small blood vessels
- •Skin reactions like rashes, unusual hair growth, changes in hair color or structure
- •Decreased bone density, bone loss, bone fractures
- •Irregular or absent periods
- •Low body temperature, swelling in feet and ankles
- •Bone marrow problems (e.g., problems making blood cells, lack of red blood cells, abnormally large red blood cells)
- •Underactive thyroid gland
- •High ammonia levels in the blood (can cause balance/coordination problems, drowsiness, vomiting)
- •Abnormal behavior, being overly active, learning difficulties, trouble sleeping
- •Speech problems, coordination problems
- •Lupus (an autoimmune disease)
- •Muscle pain and weakness (sudden muscle damage)
- •Bedwetting or increased need to urinate
- •Polycystic ovaries (cysts on ovaries)
- •Male infertility (often improves after stopping treatment or reducing dose)
- •Blood clotting disorders (seen in blood tests)
- •Low levels of B8 vitamin (biotin deficiency)
- •Increased eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in blood, decreased clotting factors
- •Psychosis, anxiety, depression
Important Warnings
- Valproate can seriously harm an unborn child if taken during pregnancy. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, you must use effective birth control throughout your Deprakine treatment. Contact your doctor immediately if you plan to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
- Do not stop taking Deprakine without your doctor's advice, as your condition may worsen.
- Tell your doctor right away if you or your child suddenly get sick, especially in the first six months of treatment, with repeated vomiting, extreme tiredness, stomach pain, drowsiness, weakness, loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, nausea, yellow skin or eyes, swollen feet, worsening epilepsy, or general unwellness. Deprakine can affect the liver and rarely the pancreas. The risk of liver damage is higher for children under 3 years old, or people taking other epilepsy medicines, or those with other nervous system or metabolic problems, or severe epilepsy.
- Tell your doctor right away if you or your child develop problems with balance or coordination, severe drowsiness, reduced alertness, or vomiting during Deprakine treatment. These symptoms might be due to high ammonia levels in the blood.
- A small number of people taking epilepsy medicines like valproate have had thoughts of harming themselves or committing suicide. Contact your doctor immediately if you have such thoughts at any time.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Low serum albumin levels increase the response. Consider potential adverse effects, such as hyponatraemia och hematological changes. Monitor liver function. (updated 10.11.2025)