Therefore, to properly assess for the effectiveness of this drug in children and adolescents, the authors randomly assigned 151 children with bipolar age 11 to 17 disorder to receive Divalproex or to receive placebo. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Valproic acid is much worse for the developing fetus than any other anti-manic agent. What other drugs will affect divalproex sodium? Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by divalproex sodium. 401 view Baby blues: Fathers postpartum depression affects language development. Because of the risk of harm to the newborn, valproic acid should only be used by pregnant women when its benefits outweigh the risks. Divalproex sodium has divalproex ieftine liber also caused rare cases of life-threatening pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas.