Depakine (Depakine) syrup for children. Instructions for use, price, reviews

Depakine is an antiepileptic syrup, which has pronounced therapeutic properties.

The drug is used to treat children and adults in order to relieve the symptoms of seizures and prevent their recurrence within a short period of time. The drug is prescribed only after examination, which allows you to determine the degree of neglect of the disease.

Release form and composition of the drug

The drug is sold in the form of a syrup for oral administration. It is a thick mass with a cherry aroma, packaged in special small dark glass or plastic bottles of 150 ml.

Each bottle is housed in a small cardboard box. It is accompanied by instructions describing the features of use, indications and contraindications for therapy.

In the composition of the drug there is a sodium substance valproate or valproic acid, which has the main therapeutic effect.

The syrup contains several auxiliary ingredients:

• Glycerol.
• Sucrose.
• Concentrated sodium hydroxide solution.
• Sorbitol.
• Flavoring agent.
• Purified water.

Each bottle comes with a special double-sided measuring spoon for easy dispensing. The amount of active ingredient per 1 ml of syrup is 57.64 mg.

Pharmacological properties

Depakine is a syrup for children that has central muscle relaxant properties, that is, it helps to relax muscles by acting on certain centers in the brain. As a result of a decrease in muscle tone, there is a decrease in the number of seizures in patients who suffer from severe epilepsy.

The drug also has quite pronounced sedative properties, which makes it possible to ease the course pathology, if it is accompanied by mental and neurological disorders of varying degrees neglect.

When taking the medication, there is a significant and long-term improvement in the condition, the elimination of acute symptoms pathological condition, as well as preventing the development of complications against the background of rapid progression violations.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

After taking the medicine, its effect is noted quite quickly. The active substance spreads through the systemic circulation and is concentrated in nerve tissues, affects the centers in the brain that are responsible for increasing muscle tone. As a result, relaxation of muscle fibers and elimination of acute manifestations of epilepsy is observed.

The sedative property of the drug is also achieved by suppressing centers in the brain. Patients note the elimination of anxiety, causeless anxiety, as well as the normalization of sleep.

The tool has other properties:

• Improves the condition of patients who suffer from mental and some neurological disorders. As a result, during seasonal exacerbations, the symptoms are not very pronounced.
• It has a beneficial effect on the psychoemotional state of different patients, helps to prevent the progression of pathologies of the nervous system.
• Prevents the development of diseases of muscle tissue and the spinal column.
• It somewhat slows down damage to some parts of the brain. Such complications are almost always observed in patients with a prolonged course of epilepsy.

The drug, when used as a course, helps to significantly improve the condition of patients. Its oral bioavailability reaches 100%, which explains its high efficiency. After consumption, there is a rapid absorption of the components of the composition in the small intestine, followed by distribution through the systemic circulation.

The drug accumulates in a small amount in the blood plasma, a constant concentration remains for 3-4 days after refusal of therapy. However, pharmacokinetic parameters depend on the patient's age, duration of administration and specific dosage. The processing of the basic substance takes place in the liver.

The withdrawal period usually does not exceed 2 days, but in young children it can be reduced, which is associated with the use of lower therapeutic dosages. During therapy, specialists regularly examine the patient's blood in order to determine the concentration of the main substance in the plasma. If the recommended norm is exceeded, the daily dosage is reduced.

Indications for use

Depakine is an effective syrup that is used not only for the treatment of children.

The main indications for its appointment:

• Epilepsy of varying degrees of neglect and origin. The drug is used in the acute course of the disease or in the absence of pronounced disorders in order to prevent seizures.
• Psychoemotional disorders occurring in acute and chronic form, accompanied by somatic and mental disorders.
• Affective insanity. The remedy has sedative properties, therefore it helps to stop the acute symptoms of the disorder.
• Febrile seizures that occur in patients with a critical and rapid increase in body temperature. The drug in this case is used in short courses in order to eliminate manifestations.
• Changes in the child's behavior or mental activity against the background of the progression of epilepsy.
• Specific syndromes that are accompanied by seizures and emotional distress.
• Sleep disturbance against the background of an acute course of epilepsy and other diseases.

In some cases, the drug is prescribed to patients who, in rare cases, suffer from epileptic seizures.

Contraindications

The drug is contraindicated in patients who have a history of intolerance to the components of the composition or a tendency to such manifestations.

The medicine is also not used for the following violations:

• Severe thrombocytopenia. In this case, the medicine can lead to an aggravation of the symptoms of the disease and other disorders.
• The period of gestation and breastfeeding.
• A severe form of myopathy, accompanied by acute manifestations of the skeletal muscles.
• An acute form of liver failure with severe severe disorders of the functioning of the organ.
• Renal failure, in which there is a deterioration in the process of removing the components of the composition from the body.
• Revealing hemorrhagic diathesis in acute and subacute form.
• Disorders from the pancreas, accompanied by indigestion and inflammation of the tissues of the organ.
• Hepatitis in acute and chronic form. The drug is not used for any type of disease.
• Acute diseases of the digestive system, such as gastritis or gastric ulcer.

The drug is not prescribed in the case when patients were previously prescribed similar drugs and negative reactions were noted. The list of contraindications in each case may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the organism.

At what age can the drug be used?

Depakine is a syrup for children, which is prescribed to patients from birth when an urgent need arises. In this case, the drug is prescribed to patients under 1 year old if there are strict indications. In other cases, specialists prefer to use a more gentle medicine.

Dosage for children by age and weight

Depending on the patient's weight, the specialist will prescribe a suitable dosage. This is usually necessary for the treatment of children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Adults receive a standard dose.

Patient body weight	Dosage of funds
Children weighing up to 25 kg	Such patients receive 10 mg of medication per day for each kilogram of weight. In this case, there are 2 parts on the measuring spoon. The smaller one holds 100 mg, the larger one 200 mg.
Patients weighing more than 25 kg	Such patients take the medicine in the amount of 15 mg per kilogram of weight.
Patients weighing more than 50 kg	The daily dosage for such patients is also determined depending on the body weight and 1 kg of weight accounts for 20 to 30 mg of the drug, which depends on the severity of the pathological condition.

It is strictly forbidden to determine the dosage on your own, even if the patient has previously taken the medicine.

Instructions for use

The drug is taken exclusively in the dosage prescribed by a specialist and for a certain period of time. The daily rate, depending on the weight, is divided into 2-3 doses during the day.

The syrup is consumed for 2-4 weeks, depending on the degree of neglect of the disease. Experts pay attention to the impossibility of self-correction of the duration of the therapeutic course. One of the important recommendations of doctors is the combination of medication with food intake.

This will reduce the risk of developing complications from the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

After the end of the therapeutic course, the specialist evaluates its result and, if necessary, prolongs it. Quite often, the medicine is taken for long courses, and also combined with some other medicines that enhance the effectiveness of therapy.

Side effects

Depakine is a syrup for children, which often leads to the development of complications, even if all the doctor's recommendations are followed. This is due to the effects on the central nervous system.

The most common adverse reactions:

• On the part of the blood system, disorders are manifested in the form of anemia, as well as a decrease in the level of leukocytes. In this case, there are violations of the red bone marrow. Only with the progression of the disorders do noticeable systemic changes appear.
• From the side of the central nervous system, it is possible to develop cerebral atrophy, which is reversible, that is, the affected areas are gradually eliminated after the drug is discontinued. Sometimes the drug leads to dizziness and severe headache, as well as sleep disturbance, memory impairment and concentration. The manifestations disappear after the complete removal of the components of the agent from the body.
• The drug often leads to the development of parkinsonism, which is also reversible. Usually, the disorder manifests itself in patients over 10 years of age.
• On the part of the digestive tract, complications are manifested in the form of pain in the stomach, upset digestion and stool, as well as deterioration in the functioning of the pancreas and liver. Sometimes the medicine leads to repeated vomiting, which worsens the patient's condition and can lead to dehydration if accompanied by frequent loose stools.
• With prolonged use of the drug, peripheral edema may develop, which appears in the evening. They are especially common in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.
• Necrotic changes in the skin may appear with prolonged use of the product.
• One of the dangerous negative symptoms is the patient's hearing loss. In this case, the violation can be reversible and irreversible. In the second case, long-term complex treatment is required.

The severity of negative reactions depends on the age of the patient and the duration of use of the medicinal syrup. Experts note that in patients under 7 years of age, negative manifestations occur much less frequently, which is associated with the rapid processing and elimination of components from the body.

Overdose

The drug can provoke an overdose if the instructions are violated and if taken for a long time in high doses. Patients have a coma, acute disorders of the cardiovascular system, depression of respiratory function as a result of decreased muscle tone.

An overdose may be accompanied by severe disorders of the urinary system, while there is an increase in urination or a significant decrease in daily urine output. The most dangerous complication of an overdose is death.

That is why it is forbidden to take medication in excessively high doses, and if symptoms of an overdose appear, you should immediately stop taking the syrup and visit a doctor.

The patient receives help in the hospital, it involves washing the stomach and prescribing medications in order to eliminate symptoms, normalize the condition.

special instructions

Treatment of children under 3 years of age is usually carried out in a hospital, which allows you to control the dosage and, if necessary, adjust it if negative reactions appear. Symptoms are not always considered a reason for discontinuation of therapy. Often, treatment can be continued, but a daily dosage adjustment is required.

If complications appear and they worsen within a short period of time, you should not ignore the symptoms. It is important to visit a doctor in a timely manner to avoid complications.

Drug interactions

The drug belongs to potent medicines, so it is quite dangerous to combine it with any medicine on your own. It is worth consulting a doctor first. Do not prescribe a medication at the same time as other anticonvulsants, as well as sleeping pills, antidepressants and tranquilizers.

With caution, the drug is used in combination with barbiturates, antihypertensive drugs and diuretics. It is strictly forbidden to take syrup in combination with St. John's wort or products based on it.

Some antipsychotics enhance the efficacy of the anticonvulsant, so a doctor's consultation is required before prescribing.

Analogs

The drug has analogues that can be used in the absence of it in pharmacies.

Most often, the following substitutes are assigned:

• Konvulex - syrup for children, which also contains a similar active ingredient, has pronounced anticonvulsant properties. It is prescribed for epilepsy and some other neurological disorders in order to relieve acute symptoms. The tool is considered just as effective, but only when used correctly.
• Valparin also has an anticonvulsant and mild sedative effect due to the content of valproic acid in the composition. The drug is available in the form of an oral solution, the dosage is determined depending on the patient's body weight. The medicine is also prescribed for adults, but experts in this case prefer to use the tablet form.
• Keppra - a product in the form of a solution for oral administration, which contains another active ingredient, but has antiepileptic and anticonvulsant effects. The medicine is prescribed for children over 1 month old, the dosage is determined depending on the weight, the duration of the course depends on the degree of neglect of the condition.

Analogues are selected only by a doctor based on the patient's examination data.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

The drug is dispensed in pharmacies only with a prescription from a doctor. The maximum storage time is 3 years.

During storage, it is worth limiting access to children, as well as excluding direct sunlight. Application after the expiration date is strictly prohibited. The production date of the medicine is indicated on the package.

Price

The cost of the medicine is approximately 280 rubles. for 1 bottle. In different pharmacies and regions, the price may differ.

Depakine is an effective antiepileptic syrup for children, which has pronounced properties and relieves the symptoms of epilepsy at different stages of development. With proper use and preliminary careful examination, complications do not develop so often in patients. It is forbidden to use the medicine without a doctor's prescription, even in short courses.

Video about the drug Depakine

Psychological effects of Depakine: