Divalproex (Depakote) Nursing Considerations
Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Divalproex (Depakote) Nursing Considerations
Outline
Generic Name
Divalproex
Trade Name
Depakote
Indication
Seizures, manic episodes, prevention of headache
Action
Increases the level of GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) in CNS
Therapeutic Class
Anticonvulsant, vascular headache suppressants
Pharmacologic Class
None
Nursing Considerations
• May cause suicidal thoughts, agitation, dizziness, insomnia, hepatotoxicity,
pancreatitis
• Increases risk for bleeding with Warfarin
• Use caution with MAOIs
• Monitor liver function tests
Transcript
Okay, let’s talk about Divalproex, also known as Depakote. This is an oral medication, as you can see here from the packaging, but it also comes in an IV form. So remember when we talk about the therapeutic class, we are talking about how the drug works in the body while the pharmacologic class is the chemical effect. In this case, Divalproex does not have a pharmacologic class while the therapeutic class of Divalproex is an anticonvulsant and vascular headache suppressant. So Divalproex works by increasing the level of GABA in the central nervous system and is indicated for the treatment of seizures, manic episodes, and the prevention of headaches as low levels of GABA are said to be linked to epilepsy, anxiety, chronic pain and mood disorders. So this all makes sense.
Some of the side effects that we see with Divalproex are agitation, dizziness, and insomnia. Some nursing considerations with Divalproex. Monitor liver function tests in your patients, be aware that this medication can cause suicidal thoughts, hepatotoxicity, and pancreatitis. There is an increased risk of bleeding if the patient is also on warfarin. Use caution if your patient is also on MAOIs. Teach the patient to report immediately any thoughts and feelings of suicide to the provider. And guys serum drug level monitoring of seizure medications. Like this one is super important. There are often wide ranges stated in literature, but some patients may require less than that while other patients require more. So do not be surprised if there is a variation in the amount of medication needed for seizure control in your patient. That’s it for Divalproex or Depakote. Now go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing.
Fall 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Studying
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Cognitive Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Medication Administration
- Depressive Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Trauma-Stress Disorders
- Bipolar Disorders
- Developmental Considerations
- Concepts of Mental Health
- Health & Stress
- Psychological Emergencies
- Somatoform Disorders
- Communication
- Factors Influencing Community Health
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Emotions and Motivation
- Basics of NCLEX
- Pregnancy Risks
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Basics of Sociology
- Statistics
- Cardiac Disorders
- Lower GI Disorders
- Immunological Disorders
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
- Shock
- Hematologic Disorders
- Vascular Disorders
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Respiratory Disorders
- Oncology Disorders
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Respiratory System
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
- Renal and Urinary Disorders
- Urinary Disorders
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Urinary System
- Upper GI Disorders
- Renal Disorders
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Hematologic Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Postpartum Care
- Newborn Complications
- EENT Disorders
- Neurological
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Newborn Care
- Female Reproductive Disorders
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- Postpartum Complications
- Labor and Delivery
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Neurological Trauma
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Labor Complications
- Documentation and Communication
- Emergency Care of the Trauma Patient