Generic Name: valproic acid
Brand Names:
Depacon, Depakene, Stavzor
Special Alerts:
[Posted 06/30/2011] ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals that children born to mothers who take the anti-seizure medication valproate sodium (Depacon) or related products [valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor) and divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER)] during pregnancy have an increased risk of lower cognitive test scores than children exposed to other anti-seizure medications during pregnancy. This conclusion is based on the results of epidemiologic studies that show that children born to mothers who took valproate sodium or related products throughout their pregnancy tend to score lower on cognitive tests (IQ and other tests) than children born to mothers who took other anti-seizure medications during pregnancy. See the Drug Safety Communication for a data summary and additional information.
BACKGROUND: Valproate products are FDA-approved drugs to treat seizures, and manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder), and to prevent migraine headaches. They are also used off-label (for unapproved uses) for other conditions, particularly for other psychiatric conditions.
RECOMMENDATION: Healthcare professionals should inform women of childbearing age of the increased risk for adverse effects on cognitive development with prenatal valproate exposure, and should continue to counsel women of childbearing potential taking valproate about the increased risk of major malformations, including neural tube defects, when valproate is used during pregnancy. In addition, healthcare professionals should weigh the benefits and risks of valproate when prescribing this drug to women of childbearing age, particularly when treating a condition not usually associated with permanent injury or death. Alternative medications that have a lower risk of adverse birth outcomes should be considered. Patients should not stop taking valproate without talking to a healthcare professional. For more information visit the FDA website at: [Web] and [Web].
 | C 133 250 mg
bottle, 100 each Valproic Acid 250mg, Oral capsule, yellow, oblong-shaped, side 1:C 133 |
 | VALPROIC 250-0364 250 mg
bottle, 100 each Valproic Acid 250mg, Oral capsule, white, oblong-shaped, side 1:VALPROIC 250-0364 |
 | LOGO 2120 250 mg
bottle, 100 each Valproic Acid 250mg, Oral capsule, white, oblong-shaped, side 1:LOGO 2120 |
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