SODIUM-VALPROATE

Sodium-Valproate Information

Sodium-Valproate is a drug belonging to the anticonvulsants class, which is used to produce valproic acid in the organism. This drug is available under the form of intravenous injection.

Sodium-Valproate Indications

Sodium-Valproate is typically prescribed in the treatment of patients suffering from epilepsy, and it serves to control certain types of seizures. This drug may be used as a single drug therapy, or it may be combined with other seizure medication.

Sodium-Valproate Warnings

Sodium-Valproate treatment may cause severe, possibly fatal liver problems, especially in children under the age of 2. Special consideration needs to be paid to the administration of this drug in patients suffering from metabolic disorders, severe seizures, mental retardation or an organic brain disease. Also, usage of this drug is not recommended in patients taking seizures medication. Testing for liver functions should be performed both before and during the therapy course.

Sodium-Valproate may also cause severe pancreatitis. The patient may develop this condition at any time during the course of the therapy, and the disease typically worsens quickly.

This drug may cause birth defects if administered during pregnancy. It is highly advised that the patient discusses with her health care provider in order to determine if the benefits outweigh the possible risks, especially in case the Sodium-Valproate treatment is prescribed for a medical affection other than seizure disorders.

Sodium-Valproate Intake Guidelines

You should take the Sodium-Valproate doses exactly as your prescribing health care provider has recommended. This will reduce the risk of seizures and side effects. This medication needs to be injected intravenously. In case you are not receiving the injections in a clinic or hospital setting, it is recommended that you contact an authorized health care professional to perform the injections, in order to minimize the risks.

Sodium-Valproate Dosage

The exact Sodium-Valproate dosage varies from one patient to another, depending on a number of factors such as the patient’s age, body weight, general health condition and medical history, and may also vary according to whether this drug is employed in monotherapy or in combination with other medication. As such, it is highly recommended that you only use the dosage that has been prescribed in your case. You should never use a different dose than the one prescribed for your case, as this may result in severe, possibly lethal consequences.

Sodium-Valproate Overdose

It is highly advised that you never exceed the Sodium-Valproate dosage that has been prescribed to your case. Taking larger doses may result in an overdose with this drug, characterized by the following symptoms: heart block, somnolence and deep coma. In some cases, Sodium-Valproate overdose resulted in the death of the patient.

If you have reasons to suspect you are affected by an overdose with Sodium-Valproate, you should immediately contact your local poison center and / or your personal health care provider.

Sodium-Valproate Missed Dose

It is highly advised that you keep a strict medication schedule in order to avoid missing any Sodium-Valproate doses. However, if you happen to miss a dose and you are following a one daily dose therapy, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you remember this following day, you should completely skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.

If you are following a therapy course which requires you to take two or more doses per day, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember if it is within 6 hours of the missed dose, then take the other doses for the day at equal time intervals. If more than 6 hours have passed since the missed dose, you should completely skip the dose and continue with the normal medication schedule. You should never take a double dose of Sodium-Valproate in order to make up for a missed one unless your personal health care provider specifically instructs you to do so.

Sodium-Valproate Side Effects

There are several side effects associated with Sodium-Valproate treatment. In most cases, you should immediately contact your personal health care provider if you experience body aches, congestion, soreness or dryness of the throat, coughing, fever, runny nose, hoarseness, swollen or tender neck glands, voice changes or swallowing difficulties. Other, less common severe side effects include severe abdominal cramps, mental, mood or behavior changes, confusion, blurred vision, uncontrolled and continuous rolling eye movements or back-and-forth movements, redness or swelling in the ear accompanied by pain, fainting, lightheadedness when getting up from a sitting or lying down position.

Some patients following Sodium-Valproate treatment have experienced unusual weakness or tiredness, heartbeat disorders, an increase in seizures, continuous nausea and vomiting, rapid weight gain, unusual changes in weight, either weight loss or gain, jaundice, bloody vomit and, in female patients, heavy, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Other side effects of Sodium-Valproate treatment are also possible. You should contact your personal health care provider if you experience any uncommon symptoms.

Sodium-Valproate Drug Reactions

It is highly advised that you let the prescribing health care professional know of any other medication you are currently taking before starting a treatment with Sodium-Valproate. Certain medication may interact with this drug, leading to the appearance of side effects or lowering the effectiveness of the therapy.

Sodium-Valproate may interact with Amiodarone, Acetaminophen, anabolic steroids, Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline, androgens or estrogens, Aspirin, anticoagulants, barbiturates, Carmustine, Carbamazepine, Daunorubicin, Dantrolene, Disulfiram, Ethosuximide, gold salts, Etretinate, Mercaptopurine, Methyldopa, Methotrexate, Naltrexone, phenothiazines, Dipyridamole and a number of other drugs and medications. As such, you should make sure that you let the prescribing health care professional know of any other drugs, nutritional supplements, vitamins and minerals you are currently taking as some substances may not allow you to start a treatment with Sodium-Valproate, while others will require special dosage adjustments.