Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Divalproex as follows:
- Take this medication as ordered by your physician. Do not change the dose and frequency on this medication without consulting your doctor. Take the medication dose for the duration prescribed without fail.
- Take the medication dose at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the intake of medication. Taking the medication at regularly spaced intervals help maintain appropriate blood levels of divalproex needed for control of seizures and psychotic symptoms and prevents toxicity with the medication.
- Divalproex sodium may be taken with food, as taking the medication with some food can help avoid the unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
- Divalproex sodium intake can induce some dizziness and results in sleep. Starting divalproex sodium on a low dose and gradually increasing it to the desired dose can help accommodate to the dizzy symptoms. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by divalproex sodium.
