About sodium valporate
Antiepileptic; mood stabilizer
Used for
- Treatment of epilepsy
- Treatment of manic episodes in bipolar disorder
- Prevention of migraine, where licensed
Usual adult dose
Epilepsy: commonly 600 mg daily initially, adjusted to control seizures. Bipolar disorder: dose is individualized and adjusted to response.
Usual dose in children
Epilepsy: usually 10–15 mg/kg daily initially, increased gradually under specialist supervision.
Common side effects
- Nausea, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea
- Tremor, sleepiness, or dizziness
- Weight gain or hair thinning
- Low platelets or liver injury
Important warnings
- Can cause severe birth defects and developmental harm; pregnancy prevention requirements apply.
- Rarely causes serious liver or pancreas injury, especially in young children.
- Do not stop suddenly; seizures or mood symptoms may worsen.
- Extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole.
Pregnancy
Avoid for migraine prevention during pregnancy. For epilepsy or bipolar disorder, use only when essential under specialist care; risks to the unborn baby are substantial.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts enter breast milk; breastfeeding is generally possible with clinical monitoring of the baby.
Interactions
- Carbapenem antibiotics can sharply lower valproate levels.
- May increase lamotrigine exposure and serious skin-reaction risk.
- Aspirin, warfarin, and other blood thinners can increase bleeding risk.
- Other sedatives can worsen drowsiness.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.