Depakote is Going Generic, Expected Prices

For the brand-name Depakote prices start from about $1.50 for 125mg pill without insurance co-pay. Expected price for generic version of Valproate semisodium should be about 50-60c a pill without co-pay. At least 11 companies will produce this generic so the prices might actually go even lower.


Valproate increases the amount of GABA neurotransmitter available to the brain. It's also a sodium-channel blocker and a calcium-channel blocker. Even though it's prescribed for treating migranes off-label, this makes it a fairly effective wide-range migraine preventive.

The side effects, however, just like with Topamax, are very severe. They include:

Birth defects, weight gain, abdominal pain, fatigue, swelling, dizziness, drowsiness, hair loss, headaches, nausea, sedation, tremors, blood disorders, impaired liver function, cognitive dysfunction and pseudo-atrophic brain changes.

Due to these side-effects, the generic version of Depakote will carry the same label warnings as the brand-name medication.

link: FDA Approves Depakote to Treat Epileptic Seizures, Migraine