Valproic acid (VPA) is a chemical compound and an acid aimed to be applied as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing remedy. It is the first line medicine used in the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorder and major depression. It is also used to treat acute migraines and schizophrenia. Valproate acid is supposed to affect the neurotransmitter GABA’s functioning in the brain, making it an alternative to lithium salts in treatment of bipolar disorder.
Directions
Determine a proper dose for you with a health care practitioner. Take this medication exactly as prescribed. You must carefully follow all directions given to you by a doctor. Do not give up taking the medicine unless it is permitted by your doctor. Generally the standard recommended dose of valproate sodium injection is 10-15 mg/kg/day divided in 4 doses and applied every six hours. The maintenance dose is 30 to 60 mg/kg/day divided in four doses and given every six hours.
Precautions
You must consult your doctor and tell him all your medical history, especially if you have ever suffered from repeated epileptic fits, if you have any allergy or have had such diseases as diabetes, hepatic insufficiency, heart attacks, eye or kidney problems. Suicidal thoughts may appear while you are being treated with this medication. In case your mood or behavior changes dramatically or you suffer from depression, experience a feeling of strong anxiety, agitation, or think about hurting yourself, immediately notify your doctor about these conditions as they are potentially life-threatening.
Contraindications
This medication is contraindicated in patients showing hypersensitivity to any ingredient of the formulation. You have to consult your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to be pregnant or breastfeeding a child, because this medication may provoke a certain harm to a fetus or can excrete into breast milk.
Possible side effect
The most common possible side effects include vertigo, dry mouth, fever, acute headaches, pruritus, sickness, anxiety, severe somnolency, sweating, tremors, diarrhea, retching, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, nystagmus, amnesia, bronchitis, rhinitis, alopecia, tiredness, weight loss, frequent urination, hypertension, increased appetite, memory loss, palpitations, and ataxia. This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some patients and there may be some side effects not known yet. In case you have experienced any side effect not listed above, immediately notify your doctor or local poison centre.
Drug interactions
In case you are not confident whether this medicinal product is compatible with other medicines or supplements, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist. Valproic acid is known to interact with a class of anticonvulsants, mood-stabilizing medications (carbamazepine, topiramate); antidepressants that act as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluvoxamine); sympatholic beta-blockers (propranolol) that treat hypertension, panic and anxiety; a class of macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin); a class of bacterial antibiotics of the rifamycin group (rifampicin); with a group of fluoroquinolone antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections (sparfloxacin); with antidopaminergic medicines used as antiemetics and antipsychotics such as droperidol; with anticoagulants or blood thinners (warfarin); with benzodiazepine class of medicines possessing main benzodiazepine effects (lorazepam, clonazepam); with a type of antiretroviral medicines used to treat HIV and AIDS (zidovudine); with tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline.
Missed dose
If you have missed your dose, take it as soon as possible. If you see it is near the time for the next dose intake, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Avoid taking two dosages at once. In case you have missed to take a few doses in succession, immediately consult your doctor about follow-up actions.
Overdose
If you think you overdosed the medicine, immediately contact your local poison center and notify your doctor or pharmacist. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Symptoms of overdose may involve drowsiness, heart block, and deep coma. If any of these symptoms persist or worsen, immediately seek emergency medical attention.
Storage
This medicine is stored at 68 –77 °F (20 –25 °C) away from sources of heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep it away from the reach of children and pets. Avoid using any remnants of the medication after the expiry date.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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