Depakote, known generically as divalproex sodium or valproic acid, is a prescription medication used to manage certain neurological and psychiatric conditions. This drug is not intended for recreational use due to its pharmacological actions and potential for serious adverse effects. This article clarifies whether Depakote produces a “high” and outlines the significant health risks associated with its misuse.
What Depakote Is For
Depakote serves as a mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant, primarily prescribed for conditions affecting the brain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Depakote for treating various types of seizures in individuals with epilepsy. It is also indicated for the management of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
The medication works by influencing chemical messengers in the brain. Its mechanism involves increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps calm nerve activity. By boosting GABA, Depakote stabilizes electrical signals in the brain, controlling seizures and regulating mood. It also modulates voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels, preventing neuronal hyperexcitability.
Does Depakote Produce a High?
Depakote does not produce a euphoric “high” similar to recreational drugs. Its primary action involves stabilizing brain activity rather than inducing feelings of elation or intoxication. Therefore, its therapeutic goal is to bring about a balanced state, not a pleasurable one.
If someone takes Depakote in larger doses than prescribed or without a prescription, they might experience side effects that could be mistaken for an altered state of consciousness. These effects include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and nausea. Other common side effects include headache, weakness, and tremors. These reactions are unpleasant and indicate an adverse response to the drug, not a desirable recreational effect. Any significant alteration in consciousness when taking Depakote points to a potential overdose or severe side effect, rather than a recreational “high.”
Dangers of Misuse
Misusing Depakote by taking it without a prescription, in higher doses, or for non-medical reasons carries severe health risks. One serious danger is severe liver damage, which can be fatal. This risk is particularly elevated in children under two years old and often occurs within the first six months of treatment, though it can happen at any time. Symptoms of liver problems include loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, dark urine, facial swelling, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Another grave risk associated with Depakote misuse is pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can also be life-threatening. Symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting require immediate medical attention. Overdosing on Depakote can lead to severe central nervous system depression, resulting in extreme drowsiness, profound confusion, coma, and in some cases, death. Other severe consequences of toxicity include dangerously low blood pressure, respiratory depression, and cerebral edema (brain swelling). Depakote is not a drug that produces a recreational “high,” and attempting to use it as such can result in dangerous and irreversible health outcomes.