Compare Depakote vs. lidocaine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats and prevents seizures, and stabilizes mood.
Depakote (divalproex) is good for long-term prevention of seizures, manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and migraines.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 97 reviewsforDepakote
Treats nerve pain.
Lidoderm (lidocaine) works well to treat nerve pain that is localized to a small area, but its topical application may cause minor skin irritation.
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4.2/ 5 average rating with 18 reviewsforlidocaine
Upsides
- Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with absence seizures or complex partial seizures.
- Depakote (divalproex) is a first-line treatment to stabilize mood for people with bipolar disorder.
- Depakote (divalproex) is helpful for preventing frequent migraines.
- The sprinkle pill can be swallowed whole or can be opened up and mixed with applesauce if you have a hard time swallowing.
- Depakote (divalproex) is available as a generic.
- Minimal side-effects compared to other pain relievers since it works locally at the site of application.
- Won't hurt your kidneys or liver unlike other pain relievers.
- Available in many different topical formulations to fit your needs.
Downsides
- It can take 3 to 4 weeks before you feel the full effects of Depakote (divalproex).
- Depakote (divalproex) is not a good medication for people with liver problems.
- Requires regular blood tests to see how the medication is affecting your body.
- Depakote (divalproex) can make you bleed more easily.
- Application may cause minor stinging or burning skin irritation.
- Used patches requires proper medication disposal since it still contain enough medicine to be dangerous to children and pets.
- Not a good choice if you've had allergic reactions to numbing medications (local anesthetics) or have a history of irregular heartbeats.
Used for
- Local anesthesia
- Nerve pain from shingles
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release pill
- Delayed release pill
- Cream
- Gel
- Ointment
- Jelly
- Spray
- Patch
- Lotion
- Topical solution
Price
Lowest price
$29.92
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$479.24
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Reviews
97 reviews so far
46%
saidit'sworth it
40%
saiditworked well
27%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Depakote (divalproex)?
Leave a review18 reviews so far
67%
saidit'sworth it
72%
saiditworked well
22%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lidoderm (lidocaine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
9possible side effects
- Nausea22%
- Sleepiness19%
- Dizziness12%
- Vomiting12%
- Accidental injury11%
- Feeling weak10%
- Abdominal pain9%
- Upset stomach9%
- Rash6%
The Lidoderm (lidocaine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Harm to fetus
- Liver damage
- Children under age 2
- History of metabolic disorders
- Severe seizure disorder
- Brain disease
- History of liver problems
- Pancreas problems
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression
- Increased bleeding
- Mental changes
- History of metabolic disorders
- People also taking Topamax
- Overdose
- Use of heating pad on skin
- Applying patch to red, irritated or broken skin
- Leaving patch on for more than 12 hours
- Using patch on a very large area
- Older age
- Smaller patients
- Liver disease
- Accidental poisoning
- Not disposing of Lidoderm (lidocaine) correctly
- Eye irritation
- Not washing hands after touching or applying Lidoderm (lidocaine)
- Skin reactions
- Applying Lidoderm (lidocaine) to warm skin
- Covering patch with wrap or heating pad
- Heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Using Lidoderm (lidocaine) with medications to treat irregular heartbeat