Valproic Acid Derivatives/Topiramate Interactions
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
How this interaction occurs is not exactly known.
What might happen:
Using these medicines together may increase the risk of a severe (sometimes fatal) brain disorder (encephalopathy) caused by high levels of ammonia in the blood.
What you should do about this interaction:
This interaction may be more likely if you have certain metabolic disorders, such as a urea cycle disorder. Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know if you or someone in your family has a urea cycle disorder. Also let your healthcare professional know if you have ever: had encephalopathy or been in a coma; had elevated ammonia or glutamine levels; had cycles of vomiting and weakness, had episodes of extreme irritability, loss of muscle control; been told to avoid protein, or have a family history of unexplained infant deaths. These can be signs of a urea cycle disorder.While taking these medicines, let your doctor know right away if you develop any unexplained weakness, vomiting, sudden mental changes, or a decrease in body temperature. Your doctor may want to check the amount of ammonia in your blood.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
- 1.Depakote (divalproex sodium) US prescribing information. AbbVie Inc. February, 2023.
- 2.Depacon (valproate sodium) US prescribing information. AbbVie Inc. December, 2019.
- 3.Depakene (valproic acid) US prescribing information. Abbvie Inc. December, 2019.
- 4.Topamax (topiramate) US prescribing information. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. May, 2019.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.