I want to know if breast feeding is the best choice even though I am on this medication.

Abbott.



But you don't need to contact the company. Just talk with your pharmacist and then, ased on that, with your doctor. Tell them that you want to be able to breastfeed.

Depakote®, Depakote ER® (divalproex sodium)



Depakote is a neuronal stabilizing agent (aka anticonvulsant) originally developed for the treatment of seizure disorders. Depakote ER is a time-release formula. Both Depakote and Depakote ER have now been approved by the FDA for Migraine prevention. It is also sometimes used as a mood stabilizer to treat bipolar disorder. Type of medication: Rx, neuronal stabilizing agent (aka anticonvulsant), Migraine preventive, mood stabilizer



How supplied: tablets, sprinkle capsules, time-release tablets.



Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:



* FDA pregnancy category D. Positive evidence of human fetal risk; maternal benefit may outweigh fetal risk in serious or life-threatening situations; see package insert for drug-specific recommendations .

* Breastfeeding: Limited information in animals and/or humans demonstrates no risk/minimal risk of adverse effects to infant/breast milk; caution advised.



Precautions:

Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor first.

Abbott is the manufacturer.



Depakote ER (Valproate) is excreted in breast milk. Concentrations in breast milk have been reported to be 1% to 10% of serum concentrations. It is not known what effect this would have on a nursing infant. You should give consideration to discontinuing nursing.



Children within the first 2 months of life have a markedly decreased ability to eliminate valproate compared to older children and adults. This is a result of reduced clearance (perhaps due to delay in development of glucuronosyltransferase and other enzyme systems involved in valproate elimination) as well as increased volume of distribution (in part due to decreased plasma protein binding). For example, in 1 study, the half-life in children less than 10 days ranged from 10 to 67 hours compared to a range of 7 to 13 hours in children greater than 2 months.



I fear your child might not be able to adequately excrete this drug from his or her system quickly enough to remain safe. Again, you should give consideration to discontinuing nursing. But this is only a decision that you and your doctor can make.

ABBOTT DRUG COMPANY

ASK YOUR DOCTOR

dont breast feed whilst on this medication, it can pass through the milk and on to your baby - i have just looked this up for you, type in depakote er and read some of the info given,