Sodium Valproate
About
Sodium Valproate belongs to the group of medicines called anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, Sodium Valproate is also used to treat bipolar disorder and prevent symptoms of migraine (like a headache). Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures, sometimes leading to an unconscious state.
Sodium Valproate contains 'Sodium valproate', which decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain. Thereby helps in controlling seizures. Sodium Valproate increases the amount of a chemical substance called GABA; this helps block the nerve transmission across the brain and provides a calming effect. Thereby helps treat bipolar disorder.
You can take Sodium Valproate with or without food. You are advised to take Sodium Valproate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, tremors, tiredness, sleepiness, headache, weight gain, and hair loss. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Please do not stop taking Sodium Valproate without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening of seizures. Contact your doctor if your child gets her first-period whilst on treatment with Sodium Valproate. Do not take Sodium Valproate if you are pregnant as it could cause serious congenital disabilities. If you are of child-bearing age, use effective contraception while taking Sodium Valproate. Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate if you are breastfeeding. Do not drive or operate machinery as Sodium Valproate may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Sodium Valproate as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Uses of Sodium Valproate
Medicinal Benefits
Sodium Valproate belongs to a group of anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy (fits). Additionally, Sodium Valproate is also used to treat bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches. Sodium Valproate decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain, thereby controlling seizures. Sodium Valproate is used to treat both localized (seizures which affect only a part of the brain) and generalized seizures (seizures which affect the entire brain).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sodium Valproate
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Tremors
- Tiredness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Sodium Valproate if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you have liver problems, porphyria, urine-related problems (like urea cycle disorder), diabetes, immune system disorder or kidney problems. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies while taking Sodium Valproate. Contact your doctor if your child gets her first period during the treatment with Sodium Valproate. Do not take Sodium Valproate if you are pregnant unless prescribed by the doctor as it is pregnancy category C medicine and can cause serious congenital disabilities. Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate if you are breastfeeding. Sodium Valproate may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Sodium Valproate as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sodium Valproate may have interaction with pain killers (aspirin), anti-epileptics (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate, acetazolamide, lamotrigine, felbamate), blood thinner (warfarin), anti-HIV (zidovudine, lopinavir, ritonavir), anti-depressant (moclobemide, selegiline, linezolid, amitriptyline, sertraline), anti-psychotic (quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone), calcium channel blocker (nimodipine), anaesthetic (propofol), hormone (oestrogen, levonorgestrel), anti-malarial (mefloquine, chloroquine), antacid (cimetidine), antibiotics (imipenem, meropenem, rifampicin, erythromycin), bile-acid sequestrant (cholestyramine), benzodiazepine (clonazepam, diazepam).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Sodium Valproate as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have depression, liver disease, urea cycle disorders, suicidal tendency, HIV disease, or thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Sodium Valproate as it may cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeSodium Valproate belongs to pregnancy category D. Avoid taking Sodium Valproate if you are pregnant as it could lead to serious birth defects.
Breast Feeding
cautionSodium Valproate may pass into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeSodium Valproate causes dizziness, sleepiness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
unsafeSodium Valproate should not be used if you have liver problems or your family has a history of liver problems. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
safe if prescribedSodium Valproate can be given to children if prescribed by the doctor. The dose will be adjusted by the doctor depending upon the child's body weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates and high in fats) is recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet helps in utilizing fat instead of glucose for the generation of energy.
- Atkins diet (high fat and controlled carbohydrates) is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- Exercising regularly helps in maintaining weight and improving overall health.
- Rest well; get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Have a seizure response plan that helps those around you know what to do.
- Prepare your living area; small changes may help in reducing the risk of physical injury during a seizure.
- Understand what triggers seizures and try reducing or avoiding them.
- Please pay attention to overall health as it can help in reducing seizure activity.
- Install an alarm or emergency device to get assistance during a seizure attack.
Special Advise
- Contact your doctor if your child gets her first-period whilst on treatment with Sodium Valproate.
- Sodium Valproate might affect blood and urine tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Sodium Valproate.
- If you are of child-bearing age, use effective contraception without interruptions during your entire treatment with Sodium Valproate.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Sodium Valproate.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. It is a disorder of the nervous system which occurs due to disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain. In epilepsy the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures. In patients with seizures, the typical brain electrical pattern is disrupted by sudden bursts of electrical impulses that affect an individual's consciousness, movements or sensations. Seizures are of two types: generalized and partial seizures. Generalized seizures affect the entire brain, whereas partial seizures affect only a part of the brain. Seizures can cause uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms. Stronger seizures may cause people to become confused or unconscious. Possible causes include high fever, trauma, genetic disorder, brain injury or stroke.
Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression or bipolar disease, is a mental health disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows.
FAQs
Sodium Valproate decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain. It balances the brain's chemical messenger and prevents overactivity of the brain, thereby controlling seizures episodes.
Sodium Valproate helps to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder by increasing the amount of a chemical substance called GABA; this helps in blocking the nerve transmission across the brain and provides a calming effect.
Sodium Valproate limits the transmission of nerve pain, thereby prevents migraine headache. Migraine is a neurological condition which is characterized by intense headaches.
Do not discontinue Sodium Valproate without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Sodium Valproate for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Sodium Valproate; your doctor will reduce the dose gradually to avoid worsening of seizures.
Birth-control pills like oestrogen-containing products may affect the way Sodium Valproate works. It is better to consult the doctor if you are using birth control pills to avoid pregnancy.
Sodium Valproate may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. Maintain a healthy weight by following a proper diet and exercising regularly.
Sodium Valproate might cause fertility issues in both men and women. However, it can be reversible upon discontinuation of Sodium Valproate. In rare cases, Sodium Valproate can be a contributing factor in male infertility.
Limit caffeine intake, avoid smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drink water regularly, and chew sugar-free gum/candy might prevent dry mouth.
Sodium Valproate may change the results of liver enzymes, and urine and blood tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Sodium Valproate.
