Depakote Antipsychotic Medicine

Available by prescription, the antipsychotic medicine Depakote® (divalproex sodium) is approved for several different uses. The medication is used for treating manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder, as well as seizures in people with epilepsy. Depakote is also licensed to prevent migraine headaches.
 
Depakote works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a natural brain chemical that stops or slows down other brain signals. Increasing GABA helps to prevent the abnormal brain signals that lead to a seizure. It is also thought that Depakote may prevent seizures by affecting sodium channels in the brain.
 
(Click Depakote Uses for more information on how Depakote works as an antipsychotic medicine, to learn more about the specific uses for this drug, and to find out how this medication is used for off-label purposes.)
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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