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Can Depakote Cause Leg Stiffness And Slurred Speech?
My son has been on Depakote of approximately 14 years. He lives in another state so I do not know the dose. I was told starting last year sometime, my son started to experience pain in his leg which has developed now to leg stiffness, to the extent he has a hard time turning, rising from a sitting position and rolling over in bed. He falls a lot. His arms he move very slow but able to finish a task. His speech is slurred and hard to understand him. My question is, could taking Depakote long term be the cause?
Thu, 18 May 2017
Hi dear. welcome to HealthCareMagic. Thank you for trusting HCM. I have understood your queries. may I know did your son take another medicine that may have interaction with Depakote?
Depakote contains Divalproex sodium works as anticonvulsant drug. as you mentioned above, depakote can cause some side effects like your son had. 1. asthenia, the weakness of muscles, happen among 27% patients.
2. ataxia, incoordination of muscles to move arms and legs caused by nerve injury, happen in 8% patients.
3. depakote can make abnormality in thinking (6%), amnesia (5%), speech disorder (1-10%) such as changes in patterns and rhythms of speech and slurred speech.
4. others common side effects are abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, anorexia, joint pain and many more.
you should be aware if muscle weakness get worsen, or there's another symptoms that irritate your son's quality of life. better you contact your local doctor to discuss about that.
I hope these can be useful for your problem. if there's something you want to ask more, feel free to contact me in HealthCareMagic. send my best greeting to your son. take care.
Regards,
dr. Asti Yuliadha
Depakote contains Divalproex sodium works as anticonvulsant drug. as you mentioned above, depakote can cause some side effects like your son had. 1. asthenia, the weakness of muscles, happen among 27% patients.
2. ataxia, incoordination of muscles to move arms and legs caused by nerve injury, happen in 8% patients.
3. depakote can make abnormality in thinking (6%), amnesia (5%), speech disorder (1-10%) such as changes in patterns and rhythms of speech and slurred speech.
4. others common side effects are abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, anorexia, joint pain and many more.
you should be aware if muscle weakness get worsen, or there's another symptoms that irritate your son's quality of life. better you contact your local doctor to discuss about that.
I hope these can be useful for your problem. if there's something you want to ask more, feel free to contact me in HealthCareMagic. send my best greeting to your son. take care.
Regards,
dr. Asti Yuliadha
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