Depakote for Migraine Prevention. 2023

Depakote (divalproex sodium) was originally brought out as an epileptic drug but later gained FDA approval for migraine and Bipolar Disorder.  The story is similar to topiramate.

Read my Mini Book on Migraine Here.

This is an article by Britt Talley Daniel MD, retired member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Headache Society, migraine textbook author, and blogger.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) has been approved by the American Academy of Neurology for pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention. It can reduce migraine attacks by 30-40% and is well tolerated.

Related issues.

Available dose sizes of Depakote.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) comes as DR TAB: 125mg, 250 mg, 500 mg.  The migraine treating dose is 250-500mg/2 times a day on a bid schedule, like 1 at 7 A.M. and 1 at 7 P.M.

Depakote ER comes as ER TAB 250mg, 500 mg.  The migraine treating dose is 500-1000 mg once a day.  It is commonly dosed once at bedtime.

Side effects.

Possible side effects are:  drowsiness, nausea, somnolence, hair loss, tremor, weight gain, birth defects, and liver abnormalities.

Depakote may possibly cause severe fetal malformations in pregnant women.  Therefore, Depakote should never be given to potentially fertile women.

What about “Side Effects of Preventive Treatment Migraine Drugs?” This article covers the side effects of all the recommended preventive drugs for Migraine and is on my website, doctormigraine.com. Please click here to read.

FDA Indications.

Depakote has FDA indications for treating epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine.

The preceding statement brings up the subject of Migraine comorbid conditions. Please read my article on my website, “List of Migraine comorbidities” at doctormigraine.com. Click here to read.

Depakote can be a useful single preventive drug if the patient has both migraine and epilepsy, or migraine and bipolar disorder.

Depakote can reduce migraine occurrence about 30-40%.

What about “When to Start Preventive Therapy for Migraine?” That article is on my website, doctormigraine.com. Please click here to read.

Check out my Big Book on Migraine Here.

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All the best.

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Britt Talley Daniel MD