About valporic acid
Antiepileptic and mood stabilizer
Used for
- Treats epilepsy and prevents seizures
- Treats manic episodes in bipolar disorder
Usual adult dose
Epilepsy: usually 600 mg daily initially, increased gradually. Bipolar mania: dose is individualized and adjusted by response.
Usual dose in children
Epilepsy: usually 20 mg/kg daily, adjusted by response; specialist supervision is needed.
Common side effects
- Nausea, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea
- Tremor, sleepiness, or weight gain
- Hair thinning
- Low platelets or liver problems
Important warnings
- Can cause severe birth defects and harm fetal development.
- Rarely causes serious liver or pancreas injury.
- Do not stop suddenly; seizures may worsen.
- Liver disease, urea-cycle disorders, and certain mitochondrial disorders increase risk.
Pregnancy
High risk of birth defects and developmental harm. Avoid for migraine prevention in pregnancy; epilepsy or bipolar treatment requires specialist review.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts enter breast milk. Breastfeeding is often possible; monitor the infant for unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, or jaundice.
Interactions
- Other seizure medicines, including carbamazepine and phenytoin
- Lamotrigine: increased risk of serious rash
- Aspirin and warfarin: increased bleeding risk
- Carbapenem antibiotics can sharply reduce valproate levels
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.