DIVALPROEX SODIUM

72/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by AbbVie Inc.

Divalproex Sodium Safety Profile: Common Reactions and Serious Events

87,440 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About DIVALPROEX SODIUM

DIVALPROEX SODIUM is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by AbbVie Inc.. Based on analysis of 87,440 FDA adverse event reports, DIVALPROEX SODIUM has a safety score of 72 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for DIVALPROEX SODIUM include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, SEIZURE, WEIGHT INCREASED, NAUSEA, OFF LABEL USE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for DIVALPROEX SODIUM.

AI Safety Analysis

Divalproex Sodium has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 87,440 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Abbvie Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Seizure, Weight Increased. Of classified reports, 67.0% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Seizures and weight changes are common side effects.

Serious events such as falls, convulsions, and death are reported. Drug interactions and overuse are significant concerns. Psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety are frequently reported. Diabetes and hypertension are notable long-term risks.

Patients taking Divalproex Sodium should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Divalproex sodium can interact with other drugs, and overuse can lead to serious adverse events. It is important to follow prescribed dosages and avoid drug interactions. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 72/100

Divalproex Sodium received a safety concern score of 72/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 67.0% serious event ratio across 45,253 classified reports. The score accounts for 87,440 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE2,976 reports
SEIZURE2,499 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED2,137 reports
NAUSEA2,042 reports
OFF LABEL USE1,970 reports
FATIGUE1,901 reports
PAIN1,873 reports
SOMNOLENCE1,837 reports
TREMOR1,796 reports
FALL1,729 reports
ANXIETY1,692 reports
VOMITING1,578 reports
CONVULSION1,561 reports
HEADACHE1,557 reports
DEPRESSION1,530 reports
INSOMNIA1,527 reports
DIZZINESS1,506 reports
DIARRHOEA1,403 reports
DRUG INTERACTION1,334 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS1,302 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE1,081 reports
PNEUMONIA1,062 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,044 reports
DYSPNOEA1,026 reports
ASTHENIA1,025 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,003 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL986 reports
SUICIDAL IDEATION967 reports
AGGRESSION957 reports
MALAISE947 reports
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS935 reports
RASH885 reports
AGITATION880 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE876 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS867 reports
HYPERTENSION861 reports
ALOPECIA837 reports
PYREXIA828 reports
OVERDOSE812 reports
DEATH796 reports
FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY781 reports
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR742 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS737 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION721 reports
PSYCHOTIC DISORDER708 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT702 reports
DECREASED APPETITE700 reports
INJURY685 reports
ANHEDONIA670 reports
MANIA659 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY632 reports
PANCREATITIS628 reports
HYPOTENSION624 reports
CONSTIPATION615 reports
HALLUCINATION613 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT612 reports
CHEST PAIN610 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE608 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION605 reports
BACK PAIN598 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY594 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN593 reports
ARTHRALGIA590 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS578 reports
MIGRAINE578 reports
DEFORMITY563 reports
LETHARGY561 reports
IRRITABILITY560 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION558 reports
BALANCE DISORDER544 reports
PHYSICAL DISABILITY543 reports
SEDATION543 reports
COUGH523 reports
BIPOLAR DISORDER513 reports
COMA511 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL509 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER503 reports
NEUTROPENIA499 reports
OBESITY498 reports
VISION BLURRED494 reports
MENTAL DISORDER493 reports
AMNESIA484 reports
TREATMENT NONCOMPLIANCE484 reports
PRURITUS478 reports
HOSPITALISATION477 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED465 reports
DEHYDRATION464 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE454 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA452 reports
COGNITIVE DISORDER447 reports
DYSPHAGIA439 reports
SPINA BIFIDA429 reports
ANGER427 reports
TARDIVE DYSKINESIA422 reports
DRUG LEVEL INCREASED421 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS418 reports
SPEECH DISORDER417 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT417 reports
DYSKINESIA412 reports
DISTURBANCE IN ATTENTION410 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Seizures and convulsions are among the most serious reported events.
  • Weight changes, both increased and decreased, are common.
  • Psychiatric symptoms including depression and anxiety are frequently reported.
  • Drug interactions and overuse are significant safety signals.
  • Diabetes and hypertension are noted as long-term risks.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 21,269, Male: 19,667, Unknown: 311. The most frequently reported age groups are age 50 (615 reports), age 52 (609 reports), age 56 (542 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 45,253 classified reports for DIVALPROEX SODIUM:

  • Serious: 30,298 reports (67.0%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 14,955 reports (33.0%)
Serious 67.0%Non-Serious 33.0%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female21,269 (51.6%)
Male19,667 (47.7%)
Unknown311 (0.8%)

Reports by Age

Age 50615 reports
Age 52609 reports
Age 56542 reports
Age 47529 reports
Age 51503 reports
Age 55501 reports
Age 49497 reports
Age 54488 reports
Age 59487 reports
Age 48473 reports
Age 45468 reports
Age 53465 reports
Age 60461 reports
Age 58460 reports
Age 57448 reports
Age 61445 reports
Age 39441 reports
Age 44438 reports
Age 46438 reports
Age 42435 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Divalproex sodium can interact with other drugs, and overuse can lead to serious adverse events. It is important to follow prescribed dosages and avoid drug interactions.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Divalproex Sodium, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, seizure, weight increased, nausea, off label use. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Follow prescribed dosages strictly to avoid overuse and serious adverse events. Inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking to avoid drug interactions. Regularly monitor for psychiatric symptoms and report any changes to your healthcare provider. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors Divalproex sodium for safety. Regular medical check-ups are recommended to manage potential side effects and monitor for serious events.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Divalproex Sodium?

The FDA has received approximately 87,440 adverse event reports associated with Divalproex Sodium. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Divalproex Sodium?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Divalproex Sodium include Drug Ineffective, Seizure, Weight Increased, Nausea, Off Label Use. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (2,976 reports), Seizure (2,499 reports), Weight Increased (2,137 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Divalproex Sodium.

What percentage of Divalproex Sodium adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 45,253 classified reports, 30,298 (67.0%) were classified as serious and 14,955 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Divalproex Sodium (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Divalproex Sodium break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 21,269, Male: 19,667, Unknown: 311. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Divalproex Sodium?

The most frequently reported age groups for Divalproex Sodium adverse events are: age 50: 615 reports, age 52: 609 reports, age 56: 542 reports, age 47: 529 reports, age 51: 503 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Divalproex Sodium?

The primary manufacturer associated with Divalproex Sodium adverse event reports is Abbvie Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Divalproex Sodium?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Divalproex Sodium include: Fatigue, Pain, Somnolence, Tremor, Fall. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Divalproex Sodium?

You can report adverse events from Divalproex Sodium to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Divalproex Sodium's safety score and what does it mean?

Divalproex Sodium has a safety concern score of 72 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Seizures and weight changes are common side effects.

What are the key safety signals for Divalproex Sodium?

Key safety signals identified in Divalproex Sodium's adverse event data include: Seizures and convulsions are among the most serious reported events.. Weight changes, both increased and decreased, are common.. Psychiatric symptoms including depression and anxiety are frequently reported.. Drug interactions and overuse are significant safety signals.. Diabetes and hypertension are noted as long-term risks.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Divalproex Sodium interact with other drugs?

Divalproex sodium can interact with other drugs, and overuse can lead to serious adverse events. It is important to follow prescribed dosages and avoid drug interactions. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Divalproex Sodium.

What should patients know before taking Divalproex Sodium?

Follow prescribed dosages strictly to avoid overuse and serious adverse events. Inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking to avoid drug interactions. Regularly monitor for psychiatric symptoms and report any changes to your healthcare provider.

Are Divalproex Sodium side effects well-documented?

Divalproex Sodium has 87,440 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious events such as falls, convulsions, and death are reported. The volume of reports for Divalproex Sodium reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Divalproex Sodium?

The FDA closely monitors Divalproex sodium for safety. Regular medical check-ups are recommended to manage potential side effects and monitor for serious events. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to DIVALPROEX SODIUM based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

CarbamazepineValproic acidPhenytoinLamotrigineLevetiracetam
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.