Tegretol vs. Depakote

• Are Tegretol and Depakote the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Tegretol? (Side effects)
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Depakote? (Side effects)
• What Is Tegretol? (Uses)
• What Is Depakote? (Uses)
• What Drugs Interact with Tegretol? (Interactions)
• What Drugs Interact with Depakote? (Interactions)
• How Should Tegretol Be Taken? (Dosage)
• How Should Depakote Be Taken? (Dosage)

Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Depakote (divalproex sodium) are anticonvulsants used to treat seizure and bipolar disorder.

Tegretol is also used to treat nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy.

Depakote is also used to treat migraine headaches.

Common side effects of Tegretol include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• swollen tongue,
• loss of balance or coordination, or
• unsteadiness.

Common side effects of Depakote include:

• drowsiness,
• weakness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• mood swings,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• enlarged breasts,
• weight changes,
• agitation,
• tremor (shaking),
• vision changes,
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth, and
• hair loss.

Tegretol (carbamazepine) is an anticonvulsant used to treat seizures and nerve pain such as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. Tegretol is also used to treat bipolar disorder. Tegretol is available in generic form.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a stable coordination compound comprised of sodium valproate and valproic acid used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraine headaches. Generic Depakote (termed divalproex sodium) is available under several other names.

Tegretol may interact with other seizure medications, HIV or AIDS medications, antibiotics, antidepressants, medications to treat mental illness, or blood thinners.

Tegretol may also interact with theophylline, birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, drugs to treat tuberculosis, antifungal medications, cancer medicines, heart or blood pressure medications, medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, steroids, or thyroid replacement medications.

You may have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Tegretol suddenly.

Depakote may interact with other seizure medications, HIV or AIDS medications, antibiotics, antidepressants, medications to treat mental illness, or blood thinners.

Depakote may also interact with phenobarbital, aspirin, rifampin, and tolbutamide.

The starting dose of Tegretol to treat epilepsy in adults and children over 12 years of age is 200 mg twice daily for tablets and XR tablets, or 1 tsp 4 times daily for suspension (400 mg/day). Usual maintenance dose is 800-1200 mg daily. The starting dose to treat trigeminal neuralgia is 100 mg twice daily for tablets or XR tablets, or ½ tsp 4 times daily for suspension, for a total daily dose of 200 mg. Control of pain is maintained in most patients with 400-800 mg daily. Consult your doctor for pediatric doses.

The recommended initial dose of Depakote to treat mania is 750 mg daily in divided doses. The dose of Depakote to treat epilepsy as monotherapy should be initiated at 10 to 15 mg/kg/day. The recommended starting dose of Depakote to treat migraines is 250 mg twice daily.