Sodium Valproate
About Sodium Valproate
Sodium Valproate is 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.
Sodium Valproate contains 'Sodium valproate', which decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain. This helps in controlling seizures.
Take Sodium Valproate as prescribed by your doctor. Sodium Valproate may cause side effects, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, tremors, tiredness, sleepiness, headache, weight gain, and hair loss. 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. Do not take Sodium Valproate if you are pregnant, as it could cause serious congenital disabilities. Consult your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate if you are breastfeeding.
Uses of Sodium Valproate
• Seizure Management: Sodium Valproate is primarily used to manage various types of seizures in individuals with epilepsy, helping to stabilise electrical activity in the brain.
• Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Sodium Valproate can be utilized in the treatment of bipolar disorder, aiding in mood stabilization and reducing the frequency of mood swings.
• Migraine Prevention: Sodium Valproate may also be prescribed to prevent migraines, providing relief from recurrent headaches.
Medicinal Benefits
When used as prescribed, Sodium Valproate may offer the following benefits
For Epilepsy:
- Regulates a variety of seizure types, such as absence, focal, and generalised seizures.
- Reduces the frequency and intensity of seizures by stabilising aberrant electrical activity in the brain.
- Beneficial either alone or in conjunction with other antiepileptic medications.
- Both adults and children with epilepsy can benefit from it.
For Bipolar disorder:
- Stabilises mood, which aids in the management of acute manic episodes.
- Reduce mood fluctuations and stop manic relapses.
- Helpful for patients who don't react well to lithium.
- Reduces impulsive behaviour, agitation, and irritation.
For Migraine:
- Helps prevent migraine attacks when taken regularly.
- Reduces the frequency of migraine episodes.
- Decreases the severity and duration of headaches.
- Stabilises overactive nerve signals involved in migraines.
- Improves the quality of life in people with recurrent migraines.
Directions for Use
- Sodium Valproate can be taken with or without food.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Sodium Valproate as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Sodium Valproate
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Tremors
- Tiredness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Do not take Sodium Valproate if you are allergic to any of its contents.
- Inform your doctor if you have liver problems, porphyria (blood disorder), urine-related problems (like urea cycle disorder), diabetes, an 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 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: Taking Sodium Valproate with the following medication classes may cause adverse reactions.
- Drugs used for seizures (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• Potential effect: May cause altered blood levels and increased toxicity. - Blood thinner (warfarin)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of bleeding. - Antibiotics (imipenem, meropenem)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Sodium Valproate. - Anti-psychotic drugs (quetiapine, olanzapine)
• Potential effect: May cause sedation and CNS side effects. - Drugs used for depression (clonazepam, diazepam)
• Potential effect: May cause sedation and CNS side effects.
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 a history of the following conditions before taking Sodium Valproate, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Depression
- Liver disease
- Urea cycle disorders
- Suicidal tendency
- HIV disease
- 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
consult your doctorSodium 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
consult your doctorSodium 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
Healthy eating habits:
- To preserve general health, eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
- Eat fewer greasy and fried foods to ease the liver's burden.
- To lessen upset stomach, drink enough water and eat at regular times.
Lifestyle changes:
- Steer clear of recreational drugs and alcohol, as they can exacerbate seizures and negative effects.
- Sleep deprivation can cause mood swings or seizures, so make sure you get enough sleep and control your stress.
Stress management:
- To lower stress, engage in relaxation methods like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
- Walking is a gentle kind of exercise that might enhance mental health.
- When you're feeling overwhelmed, ask friends, family, or a counsellor for emotional assistance.
Special Advise
- 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: generalised and partial seizures. Generalised 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.
Migraine: Migraine is a neurological condition that causes recurring, moderate to severe headaches. The pain is usually throbbing and often affects one side of the head. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.
FAQs
Sodium Valproate is used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, it is also used to treat bipolar disorder and prevent symptoms of migraine (like a headache).
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 seizure 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 preventing migraine headaches. Migraines are a neurological condition characterised by intense headaches.
Do not discontinue Sodium Valproate without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectively, 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, urine and blood tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Sodium Valproate.
Store Sodium Valproate at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Sodium Valproate may cause side effects like 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.
No, avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Sodium Valproate as it may cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Yes, Sodium Valproate causes dizziness, sleepiness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
No, taking higher than the recommended dose of Sodium Valproate will not be more effective and may cause unpleasant side effects. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Sodium Valproate as it may cause an overdose.
