Comprehensive medication guide to Depakote ER including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic divalproex ER; Tier 1–2 on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans. Brand Depakote ER may require prior authorization and typically carries a higher copay.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$140–$800+ retail for brand-name Depakote ER; as low as $20–$21 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for generic divalproex sodium ER for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
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Depakote ER is the brand name for divalproex sodium extended-release tablets, manufactured by AbbVie. The "ER" stands for extended-release — the tablet is designed to release the active ingredient slowly over the day, enabling once-daily dosing. It was first FDA-approved in this extended-release formulation in 2000.
Depakote ER is an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing medication classified in the valproate drug family. The active ingredient, divalproex sodium, is a compound of sodium valproate and valproic acid that the body metabolizes into valproic acid — the actual active form in the brain.
It is available as 250 mg and 500 mg extended-release tablets. A generic version — divalproex sodium ER — is produced by multiple manufacturers and is bioequivalent to brand-name Depakote ER for most patients.
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Depakote ER works through multiple mechanisms in the brain. Its primary action is enhancing GABA — the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter. By boosting GABA activity, valproate helps calm overexcited neural circuits responsible for seizures, manic episodes, and the cortical hyperexcitability that triggers migraines.
Additionally, valproate blocks voltage-gated sodium channels and T-type calcium channels, stabilizing neuronal membranes and reducing uncontrolled firing. For bipolar disorder, it also inhibits protein kinase C epsilon (PKC-epsilon), an enzyme linked to intracellular signaling dysregulation in manic states.
The extended-release formulation delivers these mechanisms over an extended period, maintaining more consistent therapeutic blood levels compared to the delayed-release formulation. Peak plasma concentration is reached 4–17 hours after dosing. Target therapeutic range for epilepsy is 50–100 mcg/mL; for acute bipolar mania, 85–125 mcg/mL.
250 mg — extended-release tablet
Starting dose for migraine prevention; used as twice-daily alternative when 500mg ER is unavailable
500 mg — extended-release tablet
Standard maintenance dose for epilepsy and bipolar disorder; most commonly prescribed strength
Finding Depakote ER in 2026 depends significantly on whether you need the brand-name product or can use generic divalproex sodium ER. Generic divalproex sodium ER is generally available at most pharmacies and is the most accessible option for most patients. Brand-name Depakote ER — particularly the 500 mg tablet — has faced documented manufacturing delays from AbbVie that have caused recurring supply disruptions since 2023.
Patients who specifically require the brand (typically epilepsy patients with documented sensitivity to generic formulations) face the most significant challenges. These patients should start refill searches 7–10 days early, try independent pharmacies, and consider contacting AbbVie directly at 1-800-633-9110.
medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have Depakote ER in stock and texts you the results — saving you hours of calling around. This is particularly valuable for patients who need the brand-name product and cannot rely on automatic generic substitution.
Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) is not a controlled substance, so it can be prescribed by any licensed provider without special DEA registration or prescribing authority restrictions. This makes it broadly accessible through a wide range of healthcare settings.
Providers who commonly prescribe Depakote ER include:
Neurologists — primary specialists for epilepsy management; epileptologists for complex cases
Psychiatrists — most common prescribers for bipolar disorder
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) — for migraine prevention and stable bipolar/epilepsy maintenance
Pediatricians and Pediatric Neurologists — for childhood epilepsy (Depakote ER approved for children 10 and older)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) — in most states, have full prescriptive authority for non-controlled substances like Depakote ER
Because Depakote ER is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth without special DEA authorization. This makes telehealth platforms a convenient option for established patients needing prescription renewals and follow-up management, especially for bipolar disorder and migraine prevention. For new-onset epilepsy, an in-person evaluation with neurological examination and EEG is typically required before starting anticonvulsant therapy.
No. Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It does not require special DEA registration to prescribe and has no federally mandated restrictions on refills, prescription quantity, or early refill timing.
Practical implications for patients:
Can be prescribed via telehealth without special DEA authorization
90-day supplies are permitted and often covered by insurance through mail-order pharmacies
No restriction on early refill searches — patients can start looking for their refill at any time
Prescriptions can be transferred between pharmacies without the restrictions that apply to Schedule II–V substances
The following side effects are common and often manageable:
Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea (reduced by taking with food)
Tremor (fine hand tremor, may improve with dose adjustment)
Weight gain and increased appetite
Hair loss (alopecia) — usually reversible
Drowsiness, dizziness, and headache
Blurred vision
Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) — FDA black box warning; most common in first 6 months; yellowing of skin, dark urine, unusual fatigue
Pancreatitis — FDA black box warning; severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
Fetal harm — FDA black box warning; neural tube defects, decreased IQ; contraindicated in pregnancy for most indications
Suicidal ideation — class warning for all anticonvulsants
Hyperammonemia — confusion, lethargy (especially with topiramate co-administration)
Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) — unusual bruising or bleeding
DRESS syndrome — rare but serious drug rash with systemic involvement
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Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer FDA-approved for epilepsy and bipolar maintenance. Better for bipolar depression than mania. Has serious skin rash risk (SJS); requires slow titration. Available as generic.
Lithium (Lithobid)
Gold standard mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder. Effective for mania prevention and relapse. Narrow therapeutic index requiring blood level monitoring. Not used for epilepsy or migraine.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Anticonvulsant approved for seizures and bipolar mania. Similar efficacy to valproate for mania. Strong CYP enzyme inducer with many drug interactions. Available as generic.
Levetiracetam (Keppra)
Broad-spectrum anticonvulsant for multiple seizure types. Not used for bipolar or migraine. Generally well tolerated but can cause mood and behavioral changes. Widely available as generic.
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Meropenem / Ertapenem / Imipenem (Carbapenems)
majorCan reduce valproate levels by 60-100% within 24 hours, potentially causing complete loss of seizure control. Avoid co-administration; select non-carbapenem antibiotics when possible.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
majorValproate doubles lamotrigine blood levels by inhibiting glucuronidation. When starting valproate with lamotrigine, halve the lamotrigine dose to reduce SJS risk.
Topiramate (Topamax)
moderateCombination increases risk of hyperammonemia and hyperammonemic encephalopathy even in patients with normal liver function. Monitor ammonia levels.
Aspirin
moderateDisplaces valproate from protein binding, increasing free (active) valproate levels and potentially enhancing effects and side effects. Avoid high-dose aspirin.
Rifampin
moderatePotent enzyme inducer that significantly increases valproate clearance, reducing blood levels. Dose increase may be needed.
Phenytoin / Fosphenytoin
moderateComplex bidirectional interaction affecting both drug levels. Also increases hyperammonemia risk. Close monitoring required.
Amitriptyline / Nortriptyline (TCAs)
moderateValproate inhibits TCA metabolism, increasing TCA blood levels and risk of anticholinergic and cardiac side effects.
Alcohol
minorIncreases CNS depression. Limit or avoid alcohol use while taking Depakote ER.
Depakote ER (divalproex sodium extended-release) is a well-established, FDA-approved medication for three distinct indications: epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine prevention. It has decades of real-world efficacy data and remains a first-line or standard-of-care option in multiple treatment guidelines. For most patients, generic divalproex sodium ER offers the same clinical benefit at a fraction of the cost.
The principal challenges with Depakote ER in 2026 are twofold: the ongoing supply disruption affecting brand-name 500 mg tablets, and the significant safety monitoring requirements that come with valproate therapy (liver function, platelet counts, serum levels, and fetal risk counseling for women of childbearing age). Both challenges are manageable with proactive planning and good communication with your healthcare team.
If you are having trouble finding Depakote ER in stock at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. We call pharmacies near you to check which ones have your medication in stock, and text you the results — saving you hours of frustrating phone calls. Start your search today and get back to focusing on what matters most: your health.
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