Depakote vs. Topamax

Depakote (divalproex sodium) and Topamax (topiramate) are anticonvulsants used to treat epilepsy and migraine headaches.

Depakote is also used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Side effects of Depakote and Topamax that are similar include drowsiness, diarrhea, weight changes, vision changes, and unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Side effects of Depakote that are different from Topamax include weakness, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, constipation, mood swings, changes in menstrual periods, enlarged breasts, agitation, tremor (shaking), and hair loss.

Side effects of Topamax that are different from Depakote include tiredness, dizziness, nervousness, numbness or tingly feeling in the hands or feet, coordination problems, speech/language problems, sensory distortion, loss of appetite, confusion, slowed thinking, trouble concentrating or paying attention, memory problems, and cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat.

Both Depakote and Topamax may interact with other anticonvulsants or antidepressants.

Depakote may also interact with phenobarbital, aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics, rifampin, benzodiazepines, tolbutamide, warfarin, or HIV/AIDS medications.

Topamax may also interact with other drugs that make you drowsy (narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety), or birth control pills.

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.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including Depakote, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Common side effects of Topamax include:

• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• dizziness,
• blurred vision,
• constipation,
• weight gain,
• trouble urinating,
• headache,
• increased hunger, and
• changes in taste.

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.

Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant prescribed for preventing epileptic seizures and migraine headaches. Topamax is available as a generic drug.

Depakote may interact with ritonavir, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics, felbamate, rifampin, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, carbamazepine, clonazepam, diazepam, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, tolbutamide, warfarin, zidovudine, lorazepam, and topiramate.

Topamax may interact with other medicines that can make you sleepy (cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety), other seizure medications, lithium, hydrochlorothiazide, metformin, atropine, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medications, or glaucoma medications.

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.

Topamax usual adult dose is 200mg twice a day. Drug interactions include acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (Neptazane), dichlorphenamide (Daranide), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin) and oral contraceptives. There are no adequate studies of Topamax in pregnant women and it is not known if Topamax is secreted in human breast milk. Use during pregnancy is not recommended unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential unknown risk to the fetus. Topamax passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.