Depakine is used in the treatment of:

• epileptic seizures (various types of generalized seizures and partial seizures ).
• mania, which means you may feel very excited, elated, agitated, enthusiastic or hyperactive. 
• Mania occurs as part of an illness called " bipolar disorder ". Depakine can be used if lithium cannot be used.

How to use:

• The doctor has determined the dosage that is best for you.
• Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.
• Contact a doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
• Treatment with Depakine must be started and followed up by a doctor specialized in the treatment of epilepsy or bipolar disorders.
• Dosage requirements vary according to age and weight and the doctor will adjust your dose individually to achieve satisfactory seizure control.

Warnings and precautions:

Do not use Depakine:

• If you are allergic to sodium valproate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine .
• If you have or have previously had liver disease and/or have serious problems with the liver or pancreas.
• If there is liver disease in your family.
• If the sibling has died of liver disease during treatment with sodium valproate.
• If you have porphyria , a disease with increased production and excretion of porphyrins (red, iron-free dyes in the blood) in the urine or faeces.
• If you have disturbances in the blood's ability to coagulate (clot) which increases the risk of bleeding.
• If you have a gene defect that causes a mitochondrial disease (e.g. Alpers-huttenlocher syndrome).
• If you suffer from urea cycle disorder (a special type of metabolic disorder).

Talk to your doctor before using Depakine:

• if it is given to infants and young children, especially if several antiepileptic drugs must be given at the same time.
• if it is given to children and young people with multiple disabilities and severe types of epilepsy .
• if you suffer from bone marrow damage.
• if you have a rare, hereditary enzyme deficiency disease. If there is a suspicion of enzymatic disturbance in the urea cycle, metabolism studies should be carried out before taking Depakine due to a risk of increased levels of ammonia in the blood ( hyperammonemia ).
• if you have kidney disease.
• if you have a reduced amount of protein in your blood.
• if you have a disease of the immune system called systemic lupus erythematosus.
• if you get symptoms such as increased seizure frequency, general feeling of illness , reduced appetite, nausea vomiting , abdominal pain, edema and lethargy, you must contact your doctor. 
• This applies especially in children during the first months of treatment.
• if you get unexpected bleeding in the mucous membranes or you bruise easily, you must inform your doctor about this
• if you know that there is a gene defect in your family that causes a mitochondrial disease.
• if you lack an enzyme called carnitine palmitoyltransferase type II and experience severe muscle pain, as this may be a sign of damaged muscles.

Breastfeeding:

• Depakine is excreted in breast milk, and it is possible that children who are breastfed may be affected.
• Depakine should not be used during breastfeeding. 
• Therefore, consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Fertility:

• It is possible that Depakine can affect sperm quality and lead to reduced fertility in men.
• In the few cases that have been found so far, sperm quality and fertility were normalized by switching to another drug. 
• Consult a doctor if your partner is having trouble conceiving.

Driving and using machines:

• During treatment with sodium valproate, the reaction time may be affected. 
• You should take this into account when increased attention is required, such as when driving and using machines. 
• Further decisions are made by the doctor, depending on how you react to the medicine and the dosage you use.

Ingredients:

• The active ingredient is sodium valproate.