Sodium Valproate
About Sodium Valproate
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. Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder characterized by a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures, unusual behavior, and loss of awareness. Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows.
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.
Sodium Valproate will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and asthenia (weakness). 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.
If you are of childbearing age, use effective contraception while on treatment with Sodium Valproate. Inform your doctor before taking Sodium Valproate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not drive or operate machinery as Sodium Valproate may cause sleepiness and dizziness. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Sodium Valproate as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any interactions/side effects.
Uses of Sodium Valproate
Medicinal Benefits
Sodium Valproate belongs to a group of anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy (fits). Sodium Valproate decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain, thereby controlling seizures. Additionally, Sodium Valproate is also used to treat bipolar disorder. 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.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sodium Valproate
- Somnolence (sleepiness)
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Asthenia (weakness)
- Paresthesia (prickling or burning sensation)
Drug Warnings
Do not take Sodium Valproate if you are allergic to any of its contents, if you have urea cycle problems, mitochondrial disorders, or hepatic disease/dysfunction. Inform your doctor if you have/had liver problems, porphyria (blood disorder), diabetes, immune system disorder, bleeding problems, systemic lupus erythematosus (a rare skin condition), or kidney problems. Sodium Valproate may cause hepatotoxicity (liver damage); consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as weakness, facial swelling, vomiting, malaise (general discomfort), lethargy (lack of energy or enthusiasm), and anorexia (eating disorder). Sodium Valproate may also cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas); consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and/or anorexia (eating disorder).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sodium Valproate may interact with pain killers (aspirin), anti-epileptics (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, topiramate, lamotrigine, felbamate, ethosuximide), blood thinner (warfarin), anti-HIV (zidovudine), anti-depressant (diazepam, amitriptyline, nortriptyline), antimycobacterial (rifampin),
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, hereditary mitochondrial disorders, 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
cautionSodium Valproate may cause serious congenital defects and decreased IQ. Therefore, Sodium Valproate should be given to pregnant women with epilepsy only if other medicines have failed to control their symptoms or are unacceptable.
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. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Liver
unsafeSodium Valproate may cause hepatotoxicity (liver damage). Therefore it is not recommended in people with hepatic dysfunction. Please inform your doctor if you have a liver impairment or liver problem.
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
cautionSodium Valproate can be given to children above 2 years if prescribed by the doctor. The dose will be adjusted by the doctor depending upon the child's body weight. Sodium Valproate should be used with extreme caution in children below 2 years as it might cause hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
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 improve 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 immediately if you develop suicidal thoughts such as harming or killing yourself.
- Regular tests such as serum liver tests, platelet count, coagulation tests, and ammonia level tests are advised whilst on treatment with Sodium Valproate.
- If you are of childbearing age, use effective contraception during the entire treatment with Sodium Valproate.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on treatment with Sodium Valproate.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy/Seizures: Seizures, also known as fits or convulsions, is a single occurrence of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, whereas epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. The possible causes of epilepsy include traumatic brain injury, scarring on the brain after a brain injury, high fever, stroke, vascular diseases, lack of oxygen to the brain, brain tumour, and genetic disorders. Symptoms include mood changes, anxiousness, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, muscle jerking, spasms, loss of balance, teeth clenching, rapid blinking or eye movements, biting the tongue, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
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. Symptoms of manic episodes include high energy, loss of touch with reality, and reduced need for sleep. Symptoms of depressive episodes include low motivation, low energy, and loss of interest in daily life.
FAQs
Sodium Valproate belongs to the group of medicines called anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Additionally, it is also used to treat bipolar disorder.
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 is used to treat 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 may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. Maintain a healthy weight by following a proper diet and exercising regularly.
Sodium Valproate may cause hepatotoxicity (liver damage). Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as weakness, facial swelling, vomiting, malaise (general discomfort), lethargy (lack of energy or enthusiasm), and anorexia (eating disorder). Serum liver tests before starting Sodium Valproate and at regular intervals for at least six months are advised.
Sodium Valproate should not be administered to women of child-bearing age unless it is essential to manage her condition. Women of child-bearing age must use effective contraception whilst on treatment with Sodium Valproate.
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