Depakote - Supply Issue

Hi, Thank you for posting and we understand your frustrations and concerns. It's important that you’re talking with your doctor about this issue to see if they can help you find another pharmacy in your area that does not have this problem.It may also be helpful to contact the pharmacy several days prior to running out of your medication, to make sure they have this in stock, or so they can order in time for you to get so you aren’t missing a dose. For information about our patient assistance programs please visit,  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/247-helpline/patient-assistance      or contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline  

Along with calling in the prescription early as was suggested by the Epilepsy Foundation there are many other options to be sure that you don’t run out that the pharmacy can do for you like calling around to other pharmacies to see if they have it and can fill it for you, or filling it with a smaller dosage, but more pills so that you take the same milligrams but just more pills to equal the right dosage. You can also get an emergency supply filled just until the manufacture can send enough to fill your prescription sometimes. The Epilepsy Foundation advised that generic Keppra was on a shortage and while I understand that Depakote is the medication that you’re having issues with...there are some additional helpful tips and resources like hotlines to the FDA to find out if Depakote is on the list and how to get help if you are interested in reading it. https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2019/11/drug-alert-levetiracetam Hope that helps!

YES, I have been dealing with this with CADISTA lamotrogine for 10 years and just had a switch of supplier a couple of weeks ago, and unable to find CADISTA anywhere - always causes some sort of neurological issue - this time a panic attack.  There need to be stricter laws for this!I know CT passed a law in regards to pharmacists having to alert you when the supplier changes, but that is not much.  Luckily, my family in CT was able to track down a mom and pop pharmacy that can order it for me.  I've called CADISTA and hundreds of pharmacies in FL with no luck.Be careful if you have to switch suppliers because some of the medicines have less bioavailability and will simply not work, and other additives that could aggravate you.