It is a medicine that contains Valproic Acid. It is a primary medication used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy. It assists in stabilizing mood and controlling seizures by affecting certain chemicals within the brain.
It should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
It is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of drug may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Avoid alcohol, It can increase liver damage risk.
It may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
It is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. Please consult your doctor.
It is safe to use during breastfeeding. It does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Valproic acid increases the level of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that assists in calming the activity of the nerve. By increasing the activity of GABA, Sodium valproate decreases the occurrence of seizures and assists in stabilizing mood swings in bipolar disorders
Epilepsy is a kind of neurological disorder which is characterized by the recurrent seizures. Seizures is caused by the abnormal electrical activity within brain. Bipolar issue is described as mental health condition which is marked by extreme mood swings, and include emotional lows (disorders) and highs (mania).
Val may cause thinning of hair, change of hair colour and even hair loss. If you are concerned talk to your doctor if it is possible to reduce the dose of Val. Your hair may regrow after either reducing your dose or switching to a different medicine.
Many patients can safely take Val for a long time. Rarely, long-term use of Val may weaken your bones, thereby increasing their chances of breaking easily (osteoporosis and osteopenia). If you are taking Val for a long time, get regular check ups done for bone health.
Val does not cure your condition, it only prevents the seizures from occurring. Therefore, you will have to keep on taking it, maybe for years. Consult your doctor if face any problems while taking this medicine.
Yes, weight gain can occur with the use of Val. To control your weight, you should have a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor if you have any other concerns.
Yes, Val does not have any effect on the working of birth control pills. However, contraceptives (birth control pills) may interfere with the working of Val and seizures may occur. It is important that you inform your doctor that you are using birth control pills. Your doctor will keep a track on your response to the treatment and monitor the Val levels in your blood levels.
You should not stop taking Val suddenly. It should be discontinued gradually. Stopping it suddenly may increase the chances of recurrence of seizures. Always consult your doctor if you feel the need to stop taking this medicine.
Master in Pharmacy
Content Updated on
Thursday, 8 August, 2024Prescription Required
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