Effects on individuals with mental retardation of changing Depakote to Depakene

This study was conducted to determine whether Depakene could be substituted for Depakote, which would represent a significant financial savings, without sacrificing symptom control or drug tolerance. Over an 8-week period of intensive monitoring, we changed 77 patients from Depakote to Depakene. Results showed no change in seizure control, no adverse upper gastrointestinal side effect, no weight change, no sleep disturbance, no change in aberrant behavior, and no change in appetite. Patients were less less lethargic on Depakene than on Depakote. However, there was some increase in diarrhea, of uncertain cause. Some changes in psychiatric symptoms were also noted. Overall, this drug change was well-tolerated.