Sodium Valproate+valpromide
About
Sodium Valproate+valpromide belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, Sodium Valproate+valpromide also treats bipolar disorder and prevents migraine headaches. Epilepsy is a disorder in which there is a sudden, uncontrolled disturbance in nerve cells' electrical activity in the brain, resulting in recurrent seizures (fits), sometimes leading to an unconscious state.
Sodium Valproate+valpromide is a combination of two anticonvulsants, namely: Sodium valproate and valpromide. Sodium Valproate+valpromide works by increasing GABA release (a chemical messenger that acts as a nerve-calming agent) in the brain by acting on GABA receptors. Thereby, Sodium Valproate+valpromide prevents fits by stabilizing the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain. Off-label use of Sodium Valproate+valpromide includes in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Take Sodium Valproate+valpromide as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Sodium Valproate+valpromide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, tremors, tiredness, sleepiness, headache, weight gain, and hair loss. Most of these side effects of Sodium Valproate+valpromide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Avoid taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide during pregnancy as it is a category D pregnancy drug and may harm the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Sodium Valproate+valpromide should be used with caution in children below 12 years of age. Contact your doctor if your daughter gets her first period during treatment with Sodium Valproate+valpromide. Avoid alcohol consumption with Sodium Valproate+valpromide as it may increase drowsiness or tiredness. Drive only if you are alert, as Sodium Valproate+valpromide may cause dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness.
Uses of Sodium Valproate+valpromide
Medicinal Benefits
Sodium Valproate+valpromide is a combination of two anticonvulsants, namely: Sodium valproate and valpromide, used to treat epilepsy, and bipolar disorder and also prevent migraine headaches. Sodium Valproate+valpromide decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve cell activity in the brain. Sodium Valproate+valpromide works by increasing the release of GABA (a chemical messenger that acts as a nerve-calming agent) in the brain by acting on GABA receptors. Thereby, Sodium Valproate+valpromide prevents fits by stabilizing the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sodium Valproate+valpromide
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Tremors
- Tiredness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are known to be allergic to Sodium Valproate+valpromide or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide during pregnancy as it is a category D pregnancy drug and may cause harm to the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Sodium Valproate+valpromide should be used with caution in children. Contact your doctor if your daughter gets her first period during treatment with Sodium Valproate+valpromide. If you have depression, liver, kidney or pancreas problems, urea cycle disorders, Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (a genetic problem), porphyria (a disorder in the formation of red blood pigment) or thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets), inform your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide. Avoid alcohol consumption with Sodium Valproate+valpromide as it may increase drowsiness or tiredness. Drive only if you are alert, as Sodium Valproate+valpromide may cause dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Sodium Valproate+valpromide may have interaction with pain killers (aspirin), anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate, acetazolamide, lamotrigine, felbamate), blood thinner (warfarin), anti-HIV drugs (zidovudine, lopinavir, ritonavir), antidepressants (moclobemide, selegiline, linezolid, amitriptyline, sertraline), antipsychotics (quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone), calcium channel blocker (nimodipine), anaesthetic (propofol), hormones (oestrogen, levonorgestrel), anti-malarial (mefloquine, chloroquine), antacid (cimetidine), antibiotics (imipenem, meropenem, rifampicin, erythromycin), high cholesterol-lowering drug (cholestyramine), benzodiazepine (clonazepam, diazepam).
Drug-Food Interaction: Sodium Valproate+valpromide may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption while taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide as it may increase drowsiness or tiredness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have depression, liver, kidney or pancreas problems, urea cycle disorders, Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (a genetic problem), porphyria (a disorder in the formation of red blood pigment) or thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets), inform your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Sodium Valproate+valpromide as it may increase drowsiness or tiredness.
Pregnancy
unsafeSodium Valproate+valpromide is a Category D pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause harm to the unborn baby. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy before taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide.
Breast Feeding
cautionSmall amounts of Sodium Valproate+valpromide may be excreted in human milk. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide.
Driving
unsafeSodium Valproate+valpromide may cause dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy or tired after taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide.
Liver
unsafeAvoid taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide if you have liver problems, or your family have a history of liver problems. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionTake Sodium Valproate+valpromide with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionSodium Valproate+valpromide should be used in children only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a ketogenic diet (low-carbohydrate and high-fat) which includes seafood, avocado, cheese, coconut oil, eggs, poultry and meat, olive oil, berries, butter, cream, dark chocolate, nuts and seeds as it helps to reduce fits. This diet helps in utilizing fat instead of glucose for the generation of energy.
- Do regular exercise and maintain a healthy body weight to improve overall health.
- Meditation and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity and improves coping skills.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.
Special Advise
- Sodium Valproate+valpromide can change liver enzymes, sugars or salts level in blood and urine tests, so let your doctor or diagnostic technician before carrying out the diagnostic tests that you are using Sodium Valproate+valpromide.
- After taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide if you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself (suicidal behaviour), stop taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide and immediately contact your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: It is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. It is a disorder of the nervous system in which there is a sudden, uncontrolled disturbance in the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain resulting in recurrent seizures (fits), sometimes leading to an unconscious state. 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+valpromide contains Sodium valproate and valpromide. Sodium Valproate+valpromide works by decreasing the excessive and abnormal nerve cells activity in the brain. Thereby, Sodium Valproate+valpromide prevents fits by stabilizing the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain.
Sodium Valproate+valpromide may cause weight gain due to increase in the appetite. Therefore, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly to minimize the risk of this side effect. Also, regularly monitor your weight while taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide.
You are not recommended to take Sodium Valproate+valpromide with warfarin as co-administration of these medicines may increase the risk of bleeding more easily. However, before using Sodium Valproate+valpromide with any other medicines, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dosage may be adjusted accordingly to use safely.
Sodium Valproate+valpromide may impair fertility in both men and women. However, it is reversible effect and fertility returns to normal after discontinuing Sodium Valproate+valpromide. Rarely, Sodium Valproate+valpromide may cause male infertility.
Sodium Valproate+valpromide may cause drowsiness as a common side effect. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel sleepy after taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide.
Sodium Valproate+valpromide may help in preventing migraine headaches by limiting the transmission of nerve pain. However, please consult a doctor before taking Sodium Valproate+valpromide.