Dicorate ER 1g (Divalproex Sodium) 1000 mg, 100 tablets: profile, composition and research
Reference page for Dicorate ER 1g (Divalproex Sodium) 1000 mg, 100 tablets. Active substance: Дивалпроекс натрия / Divalproex sodium.
- What it is: divalproex sodium at a high strength, a medicine for the nervous system.
- Presentation: extended-release tablets of 1000 mg (1 g), 100 tablets per pack.
- Status: prescription-only medicine.
- Research: work in epilepsy and on valproate safety, links below.
- Where to buy: APV Pharmacy (price and availability there).
Key facts
| Active substance | Divalproex sodium |
|---|---|
| Form | Extended-release film-coated tablets |
| Strength | 1000 mg (1 g) per tablet |
| Pack size | 100 tablets |
| Category | Prescription medicine |
| Article (SKU) | DICO-ER1000-100 |
What divalproex sodium at 1 g is
Dicorate ER 1g is an extended-release tablet containing 1000 mg of divalproex sodium, that is 1 g. It is a compound of valproic acid used in neurology and psychiatry. A pack holds 100 tablets.
The high-strength form is intended for cases where the daily dose chosen by the doctor is a multiple of 1000 mg. It allows the number of tablets per intake to be reduced compared with lower strengths.
Divalproex sodium itself is a compound of valproic acid and its sodium salt. This form is tolerated better by the stomach than the pure acid and serves as the basis for extended-release tablets.
How valproate acts in the body
Inhibitory systems
The main effect is linked to strengthening the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid, the brain's inhibitory messenger. The medicine maintains its level and prolongs the inhibitory signal.
Membrane excitability
Valproate stabilises neuronal membranes by acting on ion channels, and thereby limits excessive synchronous activity of nerve cells.
Repeated discharges
In epilepsy a pathological focus sends a series of repeated discharges. The medicine makes it harder for them to spread into healthy areas of the brain.
Mood
In bipolar disorder valproate is regarded as a mood stabiliser that smooths pronounced highs and lows. It is used both during acute episodes and, in some patients, over the longer term under medical supervision.
Approved uses
According to the prescribing information the medicine is used in epilepsy, including generalised and absence seizures, in the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder, and for migraine prevention in adults.
The 1 g strength is a high one. The daily dose and how it is divided between intakes are chosen by a doctor according to body weight, diagnosis and tolerability.
This is a prescription medicine. During treatment laboratory monitoring is carried out: liver values, blood counts and, when needed, other parameters are checked.
What the research shows
The evidence base for valproates is broad. Besides the flagship SANAD study in epilepsy, there are reviews and meta-analyses on manic episodes in which valproate is part of the standard comparison set.
In migraine prevention valproate appears in network meta-analyses alongside other medicines, and its effectiveness is rated as moderate.
A large separate body of literature deals with safety. Clinical guidelines on exposure during pregnancy describe an increased risk of congenital malformations with valproates, so particular caution is required for women of childbearing age.
Published research
Primary sources, verified against PubMed:
- The SANAD study of effectiveness of valproate, lamotrigine, or topiramate for generalised and unclassifiable epilepsy: an unblinded randomised controlled trial., PubMed 17382828 (Lancet (London, England), 2007).
- The efficacy of valproate in acute mania, bipolar depression and maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analyses., PubMed 39500601 (BMJ open, 2024).
- The comparative effectiveness of migraine preventive drugs: a systematic review and network meta-analysis., PubMed 37208596 (The journal of headache and pain, 2023).
- Teratogenesis, Perinatal, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After In Utero Exposure to Antiseizure Medication: Practice Guideline From the AAN, AES, and SMFM., PubMed 38748979 (Neurology, 2024).
Listed for reference. Publication of a study is not a claim about this particular product.
Precautions
- This is a prescription medicine. Choosing the dose, changing it and withdrawal belong to a physician.
- Valproates carry a risk to the unborn child, so pregnancy, family planning and breastfeeding must be discussed with a doctor.
- The 1 g strength is a high one: it must not be changed or taken extra without a doctor's instruction.
- During treatment liver function, blood counts and ammonia level are monitored.
- Abrupt withdrawal can provoke a seizure; any change is made by a doctor.
- Tablets are taken whole, not crushed or split, otherwise the release of the substance changes.
- Tell your doctor about every medicine you take: interactions with anticoagulants, aspirin and other drugs are possible.
Frequently asked
Is Dicorate ER 1g a prescription medicine?
Yes. It is a prescription product for neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Why does this page not give a dosing schedule?
The high strength is chosen according to the diagnosis, body weight and tests, so only a doctor sets the schedule.
How does this pack differ from the 500 mg one?
The active substance is the same; the amount per tablet differs: 1000 mg here instead of 500 mg.
Where does the order ship from?
Shipping and customs handling are described on the APV Pharmacy delivery page.