In this article, we consider the instructions for use and reviews for the drug "Depakin Chrono 300".
The drug is an anticonvulsant that is effectively used in the treatment of various forms of epilepsy. The main active ingredients in the composition of the product are sodium valproate and valproic acid. Moreover, each tablet of Depakin Chrono 300 contains 87 milligrams of valproic acid and 199.8 milligrams of valproate sodium. Ethyl cellulose, hypromellose, sodium saccharin, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, talc, polyethylene glycol 6000 were used as auxiliary substances.
When using the oral drug "Depakin Chrono 300", the bioavailability of the drug reaches 100%. Active substances are distributed throughout the volume of blood and extracellular fluid. The main active substance penetrates the brain, as well as into the cerebrospinal fluid.
The elimination half-life of the substance is on average 15-17 hours, a steady concentration in the blood is observed after 33-4 days of use, the drug remains with urine.
Reviews on "Depakine Chrono 300" are abundant.
Release form, storage conditions, cost
The medication is available in the form of oblong tablets that are odorless, or it is weakly expressed.
Keep the drug in a place inaccessible to children, preferably without removing from the package. Optimal - a dry place, at a temperature of no higher than 25 degrees.
The average price of a drug in Russian pharmacies varies at the level of 1100 rubles for a package containing 100 tablets.
Indications for use
According to the instructions for use, Depakin Chrono 300 can be used in the treatment of both adults and children.
In the treatment of adults, the drug can be used both independently and in combination with other anti-epilepsy drugs for the treatment of generalized seizures (tonic and atonic, atonic and myoclonic, tonic-clonic seizures, absences), Lennox-Gastaut disease, partial seizures of epilepsy (with or without secondary generalization).
Indications for use of the drug in children are similar to indications for use in adults. In addition, it can be used in the complex treatment of manic syndromes that occur against the background of bipolar disorders.
So it is said in the instructions for use with "Depakin Chrono 300". Reviews and side effects will be considered at the end of the article.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
If the patient has a history of information about the individual intolerance to divalproate, valproate, valpromide, or any other component that is part of the drug, its use should be avoided.
It should also not be prescribed therapy in the presence of chronic or acute hepatitis, if there is an individual or familial severe hepatitis caused by the use of drugs.
Contraindications use of the drug for hepatic porphyria and in combination with St. John's wort extract and mefloquine. This contraindication is due to the peculiarities of the interaction of Depakin Chrono 300 with some other drugs.
It should not be used to treat children under the age of 6 years, since there is a possibility of a tablet getting into the respiratory tract, as well as children whose body weight does not exceed 17 kilograms.
Reviews about "Depakine Chrono 300" are most often positive.
Dosage and route of administration
The drug is one of the forms of the Depakin medication, which has a slow release of the main active substance, which can significantly reduce the level of the maximum concentration of substances in the patient’s blood. Thus, during the day there is a more uniform saturation of the blood with the drug.
When choosing the necessary dose, it is necessary to consider that the drug is prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy for adults and children whose body weight exceeds 17 kilograms. In the form of tablets, it is also not prescribed for children under 6 years old.
Reviews about Depakine Chrono 300 can also be found on the Web, a general opinion on them we will present in the article.
The recommended dosage for the treatment of epilepsy at the initial stage is from 10 to 15 mg per kilogram of patient weight. Further, the dose of the drug rises until an optimal level is reached. On average, the daily dose of Depakin Chrono 300 is not more than 30 mg per kilogram of weight. Nevertheless, with constant medical supervision and in the case of uncontrolled epilepsy, the dosage of the drug may be increased.
The average daily dose in the treatment of pediatric patients is 30 mg / kg, in the treatment of adults - 20-30 mg / kg. For elderly patients, the dosage is set depending on the control of the disease.
The average daily dosage is determined based on the patient’s body weight, age, and individual sensitivity to valproate and its derivatives must be taken into account.
It should be noted that there is no direct dependence of the therapeutic effect on the dose taken per day and on the level of concentration of the substance in the blood plasma. In this regard, the dosage should be established taking into account the clinical response. In situations where it is not possible to achieve adequate control of epilepsy, if side effects are suspected, the clinical observation should be supplemented with a blood test to determine the concentration of valproate in the blood.
The most effective is the concentration of valproate in the blood in the range from 40 to 100 mg / l (or from 300 to 700 mmol / l).
When treating manic syndrome that develops against the background of bipolar disorders, treatment with the drug should be started with a dose of 20 mg per kilogram of patient’s body weight per day. Dosage adjustment is carried out exclusively by the attending physician on the basis of the observed clinical response, however, the maximum allowable dose cannot exceed 3000 mg of the drug per day. The maintenance dosage in the treatment of bipolar disorder is from 1000 to 2000 mg per day.
Prophylactic therapy using this medication should be prescribed individually, starting with a minimum dosage that allows you to observe a positive effect.
Methods of use "Depakin Chrono 300"
Instructions for use indicate that this drug is recommended to be taken once or twice a day, preferably with meals. If epilepsy is well controlled, experts admit the possibility of a single dose of the drug. The tablet should be swallowed whole, avoiding chewing and grinding.
In the event that the patient switches to Depakin Chrono 300 from other forms of Depakin, which have immediate release of the active ingredients, and when using which the necessary control of the disease was observed, the dosage of the drug is recommended to remain the same.
With the complex treatment of epilepsy with the help of other medications, it is recommended that children start Depakin Chrono 300 tablets according to the instructions for use gradually, with a minimum dose. Increase it to the optimum gradually, over fourteen days. Then, taking into account the effectiveness of treatment, it is necessary to start reducing the dosage of those drugs that were taken by the patient in parallel with Depakin Chrono 300.
If the patient does not receive any treatment with other antiepileptic drugs, then the dose should be increased gradually, every two to three days, until the optimal dosage is reached.
In combination therapy using this drug and other drugs against epilepsy, you should first study the characteristics of the interaction of substances.
Side effects from the use of the drug
According to reviews of Depakine Chrono 300, the drug, like any other drugs, can cause a number of negative side effects on the body, so you need to get acquainted with them before starting treatment.
A medication can contribute to the development of the following side effects:
- Congenital disorders, family and genetic pathologies.
- Teratogenic effects.
The drug can cause disturbances in the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Thrombocytopenia most often occurs symptomatically, has no negative clinical consequences. In asymptomatic thrombocytopenia, platelet level control and a decrease in the dosage of the drug are indicated. As a rule, such measures lead to the complete disappearance of the side effect. This is confirmed by the instructions for use and reviews. Children should be given Depakin Chrono 300 with caution.
There are known cases of a decrease in the level of fibrinogen, when taking high doses of the drug - a significant increase in bleeding time. Often, these side effects go away without significant clinical consequences for the patient's condition. Valproic acid is able to inhibit the second phase of platelet aggregation in the blood.
In rare cases, the occurrence and development of anemia, macrocytosis, leukopenia, and in some cases pancytopenia, is possible.
May cause red bone marrow aplasia, true red blood cell aplasia, agranulocytosis.
When using Depakin Chrono 300, side effects are not excluded on the nervous system. There are known cases of manifestations of temporary and dose-dependent symptoms such as fractional-amplitude postural tremor, a state of drowsiness. In rare cases, the development of ataxia is possible. Extrapyramidal disorders, sometimes irreversible, have also been reported, including the possibility of developing parkinsonism.
Treatment with the drug can cause significant cognitive impairment, which occurs gradually, and then quickly progresses to the point of complete dementia. These symptoms are reversible and disappear after a complete withdrawal of the drug within a fairly short period of time. The completely side effect of Depakin Chrono 300 (according to reviews) disappears from two weeks to several months.
Treatment with drugs containing valproate can cause convulsions, confusion, in rare cases, stupor, lethargy, encephalopathy (temporary coma). Symptoms of these side effects occur mainly with complex therapy in combination with phenobarbital or topiramate preparations, after a sharp increase in the dose of valproate. Reducing the dosage or complete cancellation of the product containing this active substance, contributes to the disappearance of negative consequences.
Quite often, the use of Depakin Chrono 300, especially in combination with other drugs, is accompanied by the occurrence of moderate and isolated hyperammonemia, however, liver function is not disturbed. Such a side effect is not a reason for stopping therapy, reducing the dosage or completely discontinuing the medicine.
In the case of hyperammonemia, accompanied by symptoms of a neurological nature (they can develop into a coma), additional laboratory tests are recommended.
Sharp headaches, disorders of the vestibular apparatus and hearing organs have been reported. In some patients, hearing loss (reversible or irreversible), gastrointestinal disorders, manifested in the form of nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, diarrhea, are possible. Symptoms from the digestive system disappear within a few days after the drug is completely discontinued. The development of pancreatitis is not ruled out. In this case, immediate discontinuation of valproate treatment is required, since a fatal outcome is possible.
"Depakin Chrono 300" can provoke impaired renal function and urinary system. In exceptional cases, complete inhibition of renal function is observed, in rare cases, urinary incontinence and enuresis occur.
Rare cases of the development of Fanconi syndrome are known , which are reversible by canceling treatment. However, the mechanism of its occurrence is not fully understood.
Disorders from the skin and submarine fatty tissue can be expressed in temporary and dose-dependent hair loss. Skin reactions can be observed, for example, eczema, rash Lyell, Stevens-Johnson, erythema.
From the vascular system side effects can be observed in the form of vasculitis, alimentary and metabolic disorders.
Rare cases of the occurrence and development of hyponatremia, the syndrome of inadequate secretion of antidiuretic hormone are known.
Also, the drug is capable of causing local reactions and some general disorders. Some patients have reported cases of weight gain, which in turn can be one of the factors for the development of a syndrome such as polycystic ovary. That is why the patient’s body weight should be closely monitored.
There is evidence of the occurrence of mild peripheral edema and disorders in the functioning of the immune system.
It is worth noting the likelihood of the following side effects:
- Drug rash syndrome, accompanied by systemic manifestations and eosinophilia.
- Drug Susceptibility Syndrome.
- Hepatobiliary disorders.
Reviews of the tablets "Depakin Chrono 300" confirm this.
Overdose symptoms
In case of an overdose of the drug, a coma can be observed, accompanied by muscle hypotension, metabolic acidosis, respiratory depression, hyporeflexia.
There is evidence of cases of cerebral edema, resulting in a sharp increase in intracranial pressure. An overdose of Depakin Chrono 300 may result in patient death.
When symptoms of an overdose appear, the patient needs to immediately wash the stomach, establish monitoring of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and ensure effective diuresis. If necessary, you can prescribe a dialysis course.
Doctors' comments on the Depakine Chrono 300 will also be presented.
Drug interaction with other drugs
It is forbidden to take the medication together with drugs that provoke convulsive conditions and reduce the convulsive threshold.
Combined therapy with medicines containing St. John's wort or mefloquine is strictly prohibited.
Particular caution should be exercised when combining the drug with the following substances:
- Topiramat.
- Primidon.
- Phenobarbital.
- Monobactam.
- Nimodipine.
- Phenytoin.
- Felbamate.
- Carbamazepine.
- Monobactam.
Reviews on "Depakine Chrono 300"
Both patients and attending physicians report a positive effect from the use of this drug. It very effectively suppresses epileptic manifestations, however, the medication can cause a wide range of side effects - from minor skin manifestations to death. Here are some patient reviews of the Depakine Chrono 300. Almost every patient who has taken this drug notes the occurrence of one or another negative effect. This suggests that the drug should be prescribed exclusively by a qualified doctor who will first study the patient’s history and make a conclusion about the need to use this particular drug, considering that the benefit received will be more than the negative impact.
Doctors reviews
According to experts, this drug is effective. It is usually well tolerated, rarely causes side effects. Patients on his background become calmer, muscle tension is relieved, a person's mood improves.
We reviewed the instructions for use and reviews of "Depakin Chrono 300".