Valproic acid is prescribed as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug to treat to treat convulsions, migraines, etc.

Common use

Valproic acid is used to treat convulsions, migraines and bipolar disorder. Exact mechanisms of its action are unknown. It is supposed that Valproic acid increases levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain.



Dosage and direction

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dose. The initial dose for Valproate sodium intravenous injection is 10-15 mg/kg/day divided in 4 doses and given every six hours. The maintenance dose is 30 to 60 mg/kg/day divided in four doses and given every six hours.

Use of valproate sodium injection for periods of more than fortnight has not been studied. Injections of Valporate sodium should be replaced by oral valproate products as soon as possible.



Precautions

Valporic acid in very rare cases may cause life-threatening liver failure which are most prone to are children under two years old. If children take more than one seizure medication they may be at more risk for liver problems. The risk also increases if they have a brain disease causing mental impairment (, multiple sclerosis, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington disease, a brain injury or infection).

Valproic acid may also cause life-threatening pancreatitis which starts suddenly even when treatment with Valporic acid has been performed for several years. If the following symptoms of early liver damage appear seek immediate medical help: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, low fever, jaundice. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant as this drug is able to cause birth defects. Presence of suicidal thoughts is possible during treatment with Valporic acid. If your mood or behavior change, you have depression, anxiety, hostile, hyperactive or have thoughts about hurting yourself and suicide notify your doctor.



Contraindications

Valporic acid cannot be administered to patients with known hypersensitivity to the medication or urea cycle disorders.



Side effects

Adverse reactions reported about are: headache, asthenia, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, somnolence, tremor, dizziness, diplopia, amblyopia/blurred vision, ataxia, nystagmus, emotional lability, thinking abnormal, amnesia, flu syndrome, infection, bronchitis, rhinitis, alopecia, weight loss. If the above listed side effects become bothersome or aggravate notify your doctor.



Drug interaction

Phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital (or primidone) reduce blood concentrations of Valporic acid. Inform your doctor about all prescribed and over-the counter medications you take and especially about Aspirin, Felbamate, Carbapenem Antibiotics, rifampin, Antacids (Maalox, Trisogel, and Titralac), Chlorpromazine, Amitriptyline/Nortriptyline, carbamazepine, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Ethosuximide, Lamotrigine, Tolbutamide, Topiramate, Warfarin, Zidovudine, Lorazepam.



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or time for your next dose is in a short while. Do not take double doses of this medication or extra doses of it. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.



Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include somnolence, heart block, and deep coma.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 20-25 C (68-77 F). Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. It is not recommended to store in a bathroom and places available for children.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.