Depakine® Chronosphere ™ syrup for children: instructions for use and reviews

One of the most popular drugs for seizures is Depakine. When and how is it used in childhood?

Composition

The active ingredient in Depakine syrup is valproic acid... It is supplemented with sucrose, sorbitol, water, flavors and other ingredients.

Release form

In the treatment of children, the most popular is Depakine syrup, which is produced in 150 ml bottles, but this medicine also happens:

In sachets with Depakine Chronosphere granules. They are more durable and contain 100 mg of active ingredient in one sachet.
In tablets Depakin Chrono 300 mg and 500 mg for children over 6 years old (they have a prolonged effect) and Depakine Enteric for children over 3 years old.
Powder for injections.

Operating principle

The active substance Depakin has an antiepileptic effect, and also has a positive effect on the mental state of a sick child. Valproic acid penetrates into the brain tissue and reduces activity in those segments that are responsible for the onset of seizures. Taking this drug leads to a sedative effect and muscle relaxation.

Indications

The use of Depakine syrup in childhood is recommended:

For epileptic seizures... The drug is prescribed both for absences and for focal and generalized seizures. It is also indicated for behavioral disorders caused by epilepsy.
With convulsions caused by organic pathology of the brain.
For manic-depressive psychosisif other medications are ineffective.
With a childish tic.
For febrile seizures in babies.

Be sure to watch the video in which Dr. Evgeny Komarovsky talks about when urgent hospitalization is needed for febrile convulsions in a baby:

From what age is it allowed to take?

The medicine is prescribed from birth, but at the age of less than two years, it can have a toxic effect on the liver, therefore, the use of Depakine in such young children should be monitored by a doctor and additional examinations.

Contraindications

Depakine is not given to children with:

Disorders in the work of the pancreas.
Liver pathologies.
Hemorrhagic diathesis.
Porphyria.
Intolerance to valproic acid or other components of the drug.

If the child has impaired kidney function, a changed blood composition or organic brain damage, Depakine should be given very carefully. For the use of other forms of release in addition to syrup, a contraindication is children under 3 years of age.

Side effects

Depakine assigned to a child can cause the following consequences when taken:

Babies may begin to shake hands or arms.
The child may complain of abdominal cramping, decreased appetite, nausea, loose stools, or vomiting.
Due to a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, bleeding may take longer.
The child may have an increase or decrease in body weight.
Skin rash or alopecia may occur.

More rare side effects of Depakine are changes in mood and behavior, drowsiness, irritability, agitation, changes in vision, constipation, inflammation of the pancreas.
More rare side effects of Depakine are changes in mood and behavior, drowsiness, irritability, agitation, changes in vision, constipation, inflammation of the pancreas.

Since the drug is toxic to the liver, it is important to monitor the function of this organ during treatment with Depakine. Also, the child is regularly determined the rate of blood sugar and coagulogram. A staggering gait in a child after taking Depakine requires a doctor's consultation.

Instructions for use and dosage

The syrup is given to the child during meals two (up to one year old) or three (children over one year old) times a day. For dosing, use a double-sided spoon or syringe, which is included in the package. The syrup can be mixed with food or with any liquid.

The dosage of the drug is selected individually, since it should be calculated on the basis of body weight. If the child weighs more than 25 kg, treatment begins with a daily dose of 5 to 15 mg per kilogram of weight.

Gradually, the amount of Depakine increases until a pronounced effect is obtained every 3-4 days. On average, a child is given 20 to 30 mg of valproic acid in Depakine for each kilogram of his weight. The maximum dosage is considered to be 50 mg of the active substance per 1 kg of body weight per day, but if it is possible to control the concentration in the blood, the dose can reach up to 60 mg.

For babies weighing less than 25 kg, the average daily dosage will be from 15 to 45 mg / kg, and the maximum does not exceed 50 mg per 1 kg per day. The dosage when combined with other drugs is from 30 to 100 mg of the active substance per day for each kg of the baby's weight.

How long you can take Depakin, the doctor determines. At the same time, it is impossible to stop taking the medication abruptly, since this can provoke an increase in the frequency of seizures. Cancellation is being phased out.

Overdose

The dose of Depakine syrup must be agreed with the doctor, since an overdose of the drug leads to nausea, dizziness, bouts of vomiting, and indigestion. Besides, the use of Depakine in an increased dosage can cause the development of seizures, cerebral edema, respiratory disorders, coma and other dangerous conditions.

In case of an overdose, you should immediately call an ambulance, and while the team is waiting, wash the stomach and give the baby activated charcoal. In severe cases, it is necessary to apply hemodialysis and maintain the vital functions of the child in the hospital.

Interaction with other drugs

The drug will depress the nervous system if MAO inhibitors, antidepressants, benzodiazepines or antipsychotics are given to the child with it.
If the child is prescribed to take Depakine and any drugs with a toxic effect on the liver, this will increase the hepatotoxic effect.
The simultaneous use of Depakine and anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents will enhance their effectiveness.
If the child is prescribed Depakine and Zidovudine, the toxic effect of this antiviral drug will increase.
Supplementing treatment with Depakine with drugs containing carbamazepine will accelerate the metabolic transformations of valproic acid, due to which its concentration in the blood will decrease.
The simultaneous appointment of Lamotrigine lengthens its excretion from the body.
If you give the child Mefloquine, the metabolism of the active substance Depakine will increase, which can threaten with convulsions.
Salicylates are capable of destroying the bond of valproic acid with proteins, due to which the effect of Depakine is enhanced.
Prescribing Meropenem to a child will reduce the level of valproic acid in the blood.
If Depakine is combined with Primidone, then the concentration in the blood of such an antiepileptic drug will increase.
Prescribing Felbamat together with valproic acid, the toxic effect of Depakine will increase.
If a child is prescribed a combination of Depakine and Phenobarbital, then the concentration of the first compound will decrease, and the second will increase.
The use of valproic acid affects the metabolism of phenytoin.
With the simultaneous appointment of Fluoxetine and Depakine, the effects of these drugs will increase.

Terms of sale

The drug is sold by prescription.

Storage conditions and shelf life

The syrup bottle should be kept away from direct sunlight in a place where the child cannot reach. Storage temperature should not exceed + 25 ° С. The medicine is valid for 3 years from the date of release.

Reviews

Depakine is referred to as a very strong drug that has positive effects, but there are also negative effects. The reviews of most parents who gave Depakine to their children indicate that the drug has many side effects. The most common are digestive disorders and changes in the psycho-emotional state.