Primarily taken for a seizure disorder, Depakote, Depakote ER and Depakote Sprinkle carry significant life-threatening as well as less-serious side effects. Depakote levels in patients on this drug should be routinely monitored by a health care provider. Serious side effects should be reported immediately to your doctor. Patients should not stop taking Depakote abruptly.
Circulatory Side Effects
Depakote has been shown to cause bone marrow suppression, hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a disorder in which platelet development is suppressed, thereby disabling the body's natural clotting mechanisms. Tiny red spots on the skin known as petechiae, blood in the urine, hemorrhaging from the nose or mouth, extreme fatigue, dizziness when sitting or standing, shortness of breath, fever, chills or any sign of infection are possible symptoms of a low platelet count and bone marrow suppression. These side effects are serious. Any unusual bleeding or signs and symptoms of the above-mentioned conditions should be immediately conveyed to your physician.
Integumentary Side Effects
Skin, or integumentary, side effects include the most serious and closely monitored side effect known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This side effect may initially appear to be a typical allergic reaction. During Depakote therapy, any sign of a red or purple rash should be immediately reported to your physician. A typical sufferer of Stevens-Johnson syndrome presents with a swollen face and tongue, and shedding skin. This syndrome may begin with flu-like symptoms and result in a rash that potentiates the death of the top layer of skin. In most cases, hospitalization is required and recovery may take months.
Liver Side Effects
Hepatotoxicity, or liver damage, is one of the most common side effects from Depakote therapy. Liver function tests should be routinely performed throughout the course of the drug administration. Unusual abdominal pain that radiates to the right middle back, signs of jaundice in the eyes or on the skin, itching, anorexia and fatigue are possible signs and symptoms of liver compromise. Liver damage from drug therapy has been known to require a liver transplant and even death. Liver enzymes should be closely monitored during the first six months of taking Depakote.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
The most serious gastrointestinal side effect occurring with Depakote is pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. Because the pancreas play an important part in the digestive process, a complete "resting" of the stomach may be required. This condition may become serious enough that the pancreatic enzymes cause the pancreas to begin digesting itself. Permanent damage may result. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever are the most common first signs of pancreatitis. A person may typically confuse her symptoms with the flu, and any flu-like symptoms in a person taking Depakote should be immediately reported to a physician.
References
- "PDR Nurse's Drug Handbook 2010"; Thomson Reuters and Alexander Ivy; 2009
- "Mosby's 2010 Nursing Drug Reference"; Linda Skidmore-Roth; 2009
Member Comments