Like all medications, divalproex can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them and the effects are usually mild and go away as your body gets used to the medication. The most common side effects include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, dry or sore mouth, swollen gums, shakes in parts of your body, unusual eye movements, tiredness, headache, weight gain, thinning hair, and irregular menstrual periods. Talk to your doctor if any of these are severe or do not go away.
Get immediate medical attention if you experience any unusual bruises or bleeding; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; suicidal or harmful thoughts; yellowing of your skin or eyes; or any signs of allergic reaction (such as swelling of the face, mouth or tongue; rash; hives; itching; or difficulty breathing or swallowing).
Talk to your doctor about your medical history - particularly if you have ever had episodes of confusion or loss of ability to think and understand, difficulty coordinating your movements, HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), or have ever been in a coma. Inform your doctor of all known allergies and of all medications, supplements, and herbal products that you take. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
This is not a complete list of side effects or precautions. For more information please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage for divalproex DR.