Sodium valproate

• Tablet:
  • 200mg

• Chrono tablet/capsule:
  • 300mg
  • 500mg

• Suspension:
  • 200mg/5mL

• Liver enzyme levels need to be checked regularly.
• If daily oral dose is >250 mg/day, give as a divided dose.

Anticonvulsant.

The exact mechanism of action is unknown but thought to increase levels of the inhibitory GABA neurotransmitter. It may also enhance or mimic GABA  inhibitory effects at postsynaptic receptor sites.

• Nausea
• Headache
• Ataxia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Tremor
• Alopecia
• Asthenia
• Infection
• Somnolence
• Weight and appetite changes
• Constipation
• Increased bleed time
• Tinnitus
• Nystagmus
• Vomiting
• Pancreatitis
• Hepatic disorders

• Hypersensitivity to compound
• Hepatic impairment
• Urea cycle disorder
• Pregnancy
• Suspected mitochondrial disorder in patients < 2years

WARNING:

• Risk of hepatic failure resulting in fatalities usually during first 6 months of treatment
• Patients <2 years at increased of risk fatal hepatotoxicity, especially if using multiple anticonvulsant treatments, congenital metabolic disorder, severe seizure disorder with mental retardation or organic brain diease
• Can cause major congenital malformations including neural tube defects, decreased IQ scores and neurodevelopmental disorders after in utero exposure
• NOT to be used for epilepsy or bipolar disorder use in pregnancy and women planning to become pregnant unless other treatment options have failed or are unacceptable.
• Life-threatening pancreatitis, including hemorrhagic cases with rapid progression from initial symptoms to death reported in children and adults.

• Metoclopromide
• Bupropion
• Nitazoxanide
• Imipenem/cilastatin
• Meropenem