Safe Prescribing
Manufacturers of Depakote (delayed-- release tablets), a drug usually prescribed for seizures, have marketed Depakote ER, an extended-release tablet formulation of divalproex sodium intended for migraine sufferers. Serious complications may occur if Depakote ER is confused with Depakote delayed-- release tablets, a formulation that is released over an 8- to 12-hour period and can be taken more than once daily. When Depakote ER is given more than once a day, potential adverse effects include hypotension, sedation, heart block, or deep coma.
The authors of Safe Prescribing are the following staff from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices II$MP): Hedy Cohen, RN, BSN, vice-president nursing; Judy Smetzer, RN, BSN, director, risk management; and Michael Cohen, RPh, MS, FASHP, president ISMP, a nonprofit organization, derives its reports from the USP Medication Errors Reporting Program. To report medication errors, call the USP at 1-800-23-ERROR (233-7767). To contact ISMP, call 215-947-7797 or e-mail ismpinfo@ismp.org.
Copyright Springhouse Corporation Aug 2002
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