Common side effects
- stomach pain, feeling or being sick.
- diarrhoea.
- dry or sore mouth, or swollen gums.
- shakes (tremors) in a part of your body, or unusual eye movements.
- feeling tired or sleepy.
- headache.
- weight gain.
- thinning hair, or changes to the colour or texture of your hair.
What does sodium valproate do to the brain?
Sodium valproate prevents epileptic fits by stabilising excessive electrical activity in the brain. It is thought to achieve this in two ways: by increasing the activity of a natural ‘nerve-calming’ agent called GABA in the brain, and by preventing electrical signals from building up in nerve cells in the brain.
Can sodium valproate cause Behaviour problems?
Valproate is one of the commonly used medications for the treatment of seizures. Though this medication is used frequently in the treatment of behavioral abnormalities and aggressive behaviors, rarely it has been associated to cause irritability and other behavioral problems.
Is sodium valproate a high risk drug?
Taking valproate during pregnancy poses a significant risk of birth defects and developmental disorders. Following several alerts, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) issued a drug safety update in April 2018.
What drugs should not be taken with sodium valproate?
Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, phenelzine), certain antibiotics (carbapenems such as imipenem), irinotecan, mefloquine, orlistat, other medications for seizure (such as ethosuximide, lamotrigine, phenytoin, rufinamide, topiramate),
What happens when you stop taking sodium valproate?
Do not stop taking sodium valproate suddenly, unless your doctor tells you to. You’re unlikely to get any extra symptoms when you stop taking this medicine. However, if you’re taking sodium valproate for epilepsy, it’s possible that you’ll get seizures again once you stop taking it.
How long does it take for sodium valproate to leave your system?
It is highly plasma protein bound and has a half-life of 8–20 hours in most patients, but this may occasionally be much longer, for example in renal impairment or overdose. The relationship between dose, plasma concentration and therapeutic effect is not well understood.
Can valproic acid cause anger?
Valproic acid may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed.
Can valproate cause hallucinations?
The exact mechanism of valproic acid-induced abnormal behavior is not known. However, valproic acid by increasing the level of brain Gama- amino-butyric acid (GABA) provokes dose related delirium, visual hallucinations and hyperactivity, particularly in children.
Can I take ibuprofen with sodium valproate?
Usually, there is no interaction between AEDs and frequently used pain relief such as those containing paracetamol or ibuprofen.
How often can you take sodium valproate?
You’ll usually take valproic acid 2 or 3 times a day. You can take it with or without food. You’ll usually start on a low dose. Your dose will gradually increase over a few days or weeks.
How do you wean off sodium valproate?
Avoid abrupt withdrawal; if treatment with valproate is stopped, reduce the dose gradually over at least 4 weeks.
Does sodium valproate affect sperm?
Valproate therapy can result in reduced sperm count, motility and abnormal morphology. Valproate’s adverse effects on male fertility are reversible in some patients. Abnormalities may be dependent on the dose and the duration of Valproate treatment.
What is Epilim 500mg used for?
Epilim Chrono contains sodium valproate. It belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptic agents. It works by helping to calm the brain down. Epilim Chrono is used to treat epilepsy (fits) in adults and children.
What painkillers can I take with sodium valproate?
∎ Paracetamol (Calprol® or Disprol® amongst others) and most other over- the-counter (OTC) medicines can be safely taken with Sodium Valproate.
Can sodium valproate cause seizures?
If you are taking sodium valproate
If you suddenly stop taking your AEDs, it could cause your seizures to increase, or to become more severe. Seizures could cause more harm for you and your unborn baby than any risks associated with the drugs themselves.
Can valproic acid damage brain?
Valproic acid can cause serious birth defects (physical problems that are present at birth), especially affecting the brain and spinal cord and can also cause lower intelligence and problems with movement and coordination, learning, communication, emotions, and behavior in babies exposed to valproic acid before birth.
Can sodium valproate cause kidney problems?
In recent years, it has been reported that sodium valproate occasionally can cause renal tubular impairment.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of sodium valproate?
[178] found the following new withdrawal symptoms at decrease of sodium valproate in patients with active epilepsy: anxiety, agitation, irritability, lack of energy, impaired memory/concentration, depression, depersonalization, insomnia, anorexia, tension, headache, muscle ache, twitching, nausea/vomiting, tremor,
Does sodium valproate affect the liver?
More importantly and not uncommonly, valproate can cause several forms of clinically apparent hepatotoxicity. Indeed, more than 100 fatal cases of acute or chronic liver injury due to valproate have been reported in the literature.
How long is it safe to take indomethacin?
Adults—75 to 150 milligrams (mg) per day, divided into three or four equal doses, and taken for 1 to 2 weeks as determined by your doctor.
Contents