Valproic Acid
About Valproic Acid
Valproic Acid belongs to a group of anticonvulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. In addition, Valproic Acid also treats manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. Besides this, it can also prevent migraine symptoms (like a headache). Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures, sometimes leading to an unconscious state.
Valproic Acid contains Valproic acid, which reduces the brain's excessive and aberrant nerve activity. As a result, it aids in the control of seizures. Valproic Acid raises the concentration of a chemical molecule known as GABA, which helps to stop nerve communication across the brain and has a calming effect. This contributes to the treatment of bipolar disorder. Valproic Acid limits the transmission of nerve pain, thereby preventing migraine headaches.
Valproic Acid should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. You may sometimes experience nausea, upset stomach or stomach pain, tremors (shakes), sleepiness, headache, weight gain and thinning hair. Most of these side effects are temporary and will go away on their own. However, if you suffer these adverse effects on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any components present in Valproic Acid. If you are pregnant, do not take Valproic Acid because it may cause serious congenital defects. Use effective contraception if you are of childbearing age while taking Valproic Acid. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Valproic Acid. As Valproic Acid causes sleepiness and dizziness, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol with Valproic Acid as it may cause dizziness and tiredness. To rule out any negative effects, keep your doctor updated about your health condition and medications.
Uses of Valproic Acid
Medicinal Benefits
Valproic Acid contains Valproic acid, an anticonvulsant (or anti-epileptic) medicine that reduces the brain's excessive and aberrant nerve activity. As a result, it aids in the control of seizures. Valproic Acid raises the concentration of a chemical molecule known as GABA, which helps to stop nerve communication across the brain and has a calming effect. This contributes to the treatment of bipolar disorder. Valproic Acid limits the transmission of nerve pain, thereby preventing migraine headaches.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Valproic Acid
- Stomach pain
- Feeling or being sick
- Diarrhoea
- Dry or sore mouth or swollen gums
- Shakes (tremors) in a part of your body
- Unusual eye movements
- Feeling tired or sleepy
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Thinning hair, or changes to the colour or texture of your hair
- Irregular or delayed periods
Drug Warnings
Before taking the Valproic Acid, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and all medications you are using. And also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, plan to have a baby, or are breastfeeding. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving Valproic Acid. Consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while receiving a Valproic Acid. Alcohol should be avoided during treatment with this medicine. You must not drive or operate machinery while receiving Valproic Acid.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Valproic Acid may interact with other anti-epileptic drugs (e.g. carbamazepine), blood thinner (e.g. warfarin), pain killers (e.g. aspirin), a medicine for stomach ulcers (e.g. cimetidine), medicines to treat HIV and AIDS (e.g. ritonavir), antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin), medicines for depression or other mental health problems (e.g. venlafaxine, quetiapine), cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g. cholestyramine), medicines to prevent malaria (e.g. mefloquine, chloroquine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Valproic Acid as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have depression, liver disease, urea cycle disorders, suicidal tendencies, HIV disease, hereditary mitochondrial disorders, or thrombocytopenia (low platelets).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDo not consume alcohol while taking Valproic Acid as alcohol can worsen the side effects of the Valproic Acid, including sleepiness and dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeValproic Acid is a Category D pregnancy drug. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause an increase in the risk of a cleft lip, which is a congenital disability in the unborn baby. If you are a female able to have a baby, you must use an effective method of birth control (contraception) without interruption during your entire treatment with Valproic Acid.
Breast Feeding
cautionValproic Acid passes into breast milk and may harm your infant. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking Valproic Acid. Breastfed infants are at risk for valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity, so infants should be monitored for jaundice and other signs of liver damage during maternal therapy.
Driving
cautionValproic Acid may cause dizziness, drowsiness or tiredness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy or tired after taking Valproic Acid.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Valproic Acid if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Extreme caution is recommended in patients with impaired liver function. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Valproic Acid.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please inform your doctor if you have kidney impairment.
Children
consult your doctorUse is not recommended for children less than ten years. Your doctor will decide the dose based on your child's condition if more than ten years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Adolescents and adults are advised to follow the Atkins diet (high fat, low carbohydrate).
- Exercising on a regular basis aids with weight maintenance and general health.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Meditation and yoga can help reduce stress, reduce pain sensitivity, and increase coping abilities.
- Have a seizure response plan in place, and make sure everyone around you knows what to do in the event of a seizure.
- Prepare your living environment; simple changes may help reduce the risk of physical damage during a seizure.
- Understand what causes seizures and try to reduce or avoid them.
- Please keep your overall health in mind, as it can aid in the reduction of seizure activity.
- Install an alarm or an emergency gadget to summon help during a seizure attack.
Special Advise
- Blood and urine tests may be affected by the Valproic Acid. Inform the person conducting the exams that you will be taking Valproic Acid.
- If you are of childbearing age, utilise effective contraception continuously during your treatment with Valproic Acid.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Valproic Acid.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: It is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. It is a nervous system disorder that occurs due to disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures. In patients with seizures, the typical brain electrical pattern is disrupted by sudden electrical impulses that affect an individual's consciousness, movements, or sensations. Seizures are of two types: generalized and partial seizures. Generalized seizures affect the entire brain, whereas partial seizures affect only a part of the brain. Seizures can cause uncontrollable muscle cramps and spasms. More substantial seizures may cause people to become confused or unconscious. Possible causes include high fever, trauma, genetic disorder, brain injury, or stroke.
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.
Migraine: Migraine is a neurological condition that is characterized by intense headaches. A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head.
FAQs
Valproic Acid is used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. In addition, it also helps treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder and prevent migraine symptoms (like a headache).
Valproic Acid decreases the excessive and abnormal nerve activity in the brain. Thereby helping in controlling seizures.
Valproic Acid helps to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder by increasing the amount of a chemical substance called GABA; this helps block nerve transmission across the brain and provides a calming effect.
Valproic Acid limits the transmission of nerve pain, thereby preventing migraine headaches. Migraine is a neurological condition which is characterized by intense headaches.
Valproic Acid may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. Maintain a healthy weight by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Use an effective method of contraception during the treatment with Valproic Acid. Avoid getting pregnant while taking Valproic Acid as it could lead to serious birth defects. Do not stop taking Valproic Acid and consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.
Valproic Acid may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. Maintain a healthy weight by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Valproic Acid may cause common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, sleepiness, tremor, weakness, dizziness, stomach pain, and weight gain. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Valproic Acid contains Valproic acid as its active ingredient.
Take Valproic Acid with or without food as advised by your doctor.
You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Valproic Acid as it may worsen the side effects of the Valproic Acid, including sleepiness and dizziness.
No, Valproic Acid does not cause addiction. However, Valproic Acid should be used as per dose and duration prescribed by your doctor. Do not self-medicate.
Valproic Acid does not cure epilepsy, it only helps to prevent the seizures. However, you have to take Valproic Acid for as long as it is advised by your doctor. If you face any difficulty while taking Valproic Acid, consult your doctor.
If you stop taking Valproic Acid suddenly, it may increase the risk of recurrence of seizures. Therefore, it should be stopped gradually. If you feel the need to stop taking Valproic Acid, please consult your doctor.
Some birth control pills (oestrogen-containing birth control pills) may lower the levels of Valproic Acid in blood. Thus, inform your doctor if you are using birth control pills and discuss with your doctor about the suitable method of contraception.
Valproic Acid is safe to take for long time in many patients if prescribed by a doctor. In rare cases, prolonged use of Valproic Acid may weaken your bones, thereby increasing their risk of breaking easily (osteopenia and osteoporosis). Get regular checkups done for bone health if you are taking Valproic Acid for a long time.
Valproic Acid may cause hair thinning, hair colour changes and even hair loss. If you have any concerns regarding this, please ask your doctor if it is possible to lower the dose of Valproic Acid. Your hair may regrow after either lowering your dose or changing medication.
