Overview Introduction Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER is a medicine used to treat epilepsy. It helps prevent and control seizures (fits). It is also used in the prevention of migraine. Occasionally it is used to treat bipolar disorder. Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. The dose and how often you need to take it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your symptoms. It may be increased gradually. You can take this medicine with or without food but take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit. It usually takes a couple of weeks to work. It is important to take this medicine regularly and for as long as you are advised, even if you feel well. Missing doses may trigger seizures and, if you stop, your condition may get worse. It should never be stopped suddenly. The most common side effects of this medicine include headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, feeling dizzy, tired or drowsy, and unsteadiness. Most of these are not serious. Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away. However, if you notice a skin rash or redness, tell your doctor straight away. It could develop into a life-threatening skin condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Long-term treatment with this medicine can cause osteoporosis (reduced bone mass) and increase your risk of breaking a bone. Anticonvulsants like this medicine may cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors. If your mood becomes depressed, tell your doctor. This medicine may not be suitable for everybody. Before using it, tell your doctor if you have ever had heart problems, kidney or liver disease, difficulty urinating, depression or suicidal thoughts. Many other medicines can interfere with it and some should not be taken together so tell your doctor all the medicines you are taking to make sure it is safe. If you are pregnant, do not start or stop taking this medicine without asking your doctor. Drinking alcohol should be avoided as it can increase some of the side effects and can also increase your risk of seizures. You may need frequent blood tests to help your doctor make sure you are taking the right dose both before you start and while you are using it. Uses of Divaltec Tablet ER Epilepsy/Seizures Bipolar disoder Prevention of Migraine Side effects of Divaltec Tablet ER Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them Common side effects of Divaltec Headache Dizziness Blurred vision Weakness Abdominal pain Infection Nausea Vomiting Sleepiness Hair loss Weight gain Double vision Diarrhea Tremor Weight loss Flu-like symptoms How to cope with side effects? The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist. Coping with Headache Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Rest in a quiet, dimly lit room. Do not sleep more than you normally would. Do not strain your eyes (for example by looking at a screen). Do not drink alcohol. Headaches are usually temporary and usually go away with time. But, if they last longer or get worse, ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller. Coping with Dizziness This is usually short-lived and should go away within a few days. If this happens, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Lying still in a dark, quiet room may help reduce the spinning feeling. Sleep with your head slightly raised on two or more pillows. Get up slowly from a lying or sitting position. Get plenty of rest and try to relax as being anxious can make it worse. Try taking this medicine at bedtime to reduce the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water and ginger tea may also help. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking as it will make you feel worse. Avoid driving or using tools or machinery until you feel better. Coping with Blurred vision You can consider washing your eyes with water. Avoid driving or using tools or machines if your vision is impaired. Do not take your next dose if your vision is still blurry. If it gets worse or does not improve, ask your doctor to recommend eye drops or talk about changing your medications. Coping with Weakness Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Eat a well-balanced diet to keep your energy levels up. Do not drink too much alcohol. Do not drive or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Other things that can help include doing some gentle exercise every day, prioritizing and pacing your activities and having a short nap if you need to. If you are still having problems after a week, speak to your doctor, as they may want to change you to a different type of medicine. Coping with Abdominal pain In most cases, this is mild enough to be treated at home. Try to rest and relax. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. Having a warm bath or shower can help you relax and relieve the pain. Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water and reduce your intake of coffee, tea, lemon juice or soda. Avoid alcohol and smoking as these can aggravate the pain. Eating slowly and having smaller and more frequent meals can also help. If the pain is severe, speak to your doctor. They may be able to guide you better. Coping with Infection If you have a low level of white blood cells, you are more likely to get infections. There are several ways to reduce your chances of catching or spreading an infection. Avoid unnecessary exposure to germs when you can. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap or use a sanitiser. Avoid crowds and avoid contact with people who are ill or have infections. Use disposable tissues for coughs and sneezes. Consider using an appropriate face mask. Do not share personal items like cutlery, glasses, towels or toothbrushes with others. Get enough rest and eat a well balanced healthy diet. Coping with Nausea You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop from feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Vomiting You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve. Coping with Sleepiness If the medicine is making you drowsy during the day, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. You can also consider taking a nap. Physical exercises such as walking may be helpful. Do not drink alcohol, as it will make you feel more tired. Avoid driving or operating heavy equipment when you are feeling drowsy. This problem usually goes away as your body gets used to the medicine. However, if it does not, ask your doctor if you can take your medicine at bedtime or whether the dose can be reduced. Coping with Hair loss Use gentle hair products such as baby shampoo. Use a soft brush and comb gently. Avoid using hairdryers, curling tongs or hair straighteners and pat your hair dry after washing. Do not color your hair. Protect your scalp by covering your head in the sun. It is necessary to not take the stress and eat a balanced, nutritious diet as it is vital for the health of your hair. Coping with Weight gain Try to eat a healthy balanced diet without increasing your portion sizes. Avoid processed meat or poultry and seafood. Eat small, frequent meals and eat slowly. Do not snack on foods that contain a lot of calories such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets. If you feel hungry between meals, eat fruits and vegetables which have low calories. Avoid reaching for a sugary drink if you feel stressed. Fasting once a week can be an effective way to lose weight. Make sure you get enough sleep. With proper diet and lifestyle changes, you might not gain any weight or may gain only a small amount. Even then if it bothers you, ask your doctor if there are any alternative medicines that do not have this side effect. Coping with Diarrhea Keep up your intake of fluids and electrolytes (sugars and salts) to avoid getting dehydrated. Eat less fiber (avoid raw fruits, fruit juice and vegetables). Talk to your doctor about possible medication to manage diarrhea. Ask about reducing the dosage of your drug or other suitable treatments. Coping with Tremor These symptoms can be a sign that the dose is too high for you. It may help to change your dose or take your medicine at a different time of the day. There are also exercises that can improve muscle strength, control and coordination. In terms of lifestyle, avoid caffeine (in coffee, tea and chocolate), alcohol, and ask your doctor about other techniques to help you relax and manage stress. Talk to your doctor if this bothers you. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you medicines that can help. Coping with Weight loss As a general rule, speak to your doctor if you lose weight while using this medicine. Losing too much weight can lead to malnutrition. Increase the amount of food you eat. Try eating foods that are high in calories and protein. Drink warm milk instead of tea every so often. Eat smaller meals and eat more often. There may be medicines and physical activities that can improve your condition.Speak to your doctor about this. Coping with Flu-like symptoms Get plenty of rest as exhausting or stressing out yourself could aggravate your condition. You should drink plenty of fluids as it will keep your throat moist and comfortable. Try taking steam inhalation. The moisture can ease your breathing and loosen mucus. You can consider sipping warm water or tea with honey and lemon. This will keep your nose and throat from being too dry. Using an air humidifier may also help. You can also gargle with salt water several times a day. See your doctor if your symptoms last longer than 3 weeks or get worse quickly. Avoid alcohol and do not smoke as they can aggravate your conditions. show more show less How to use Divaltec Tablet ER Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. How Divaltec Tablet ER works Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER is an antiepileptic medication. It controls seizures or fits by decreasing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain. Safety Advice Alcohol UNSAFE Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol. Pregnancy CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor. Breastfeeding SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby. Driving UNSAFE Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Kidney SAFE IF PRESCRIBED Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER is recommended. Liver UNSAFE Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER is probably unsafe to use in patients with liver disease and should be avoided. Please consult your doctor. What if you forget to take Divaltec Tablet ER? If you miss a dose of Divaltec 500mg Tablet ER, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
