It has been suggested that decreased central GABAergic activity may play a role in the pathogenesis of alcoholism. Sodium valproate is a commercially available anticonvulsant that increases central GABAergic activity.
The principle objective of the study was to determine if sodium valproate is well tolerated and free of adverse effects in this high risk group. What are the side effects of valproic acid in people with dementia?
Sarah N. Mourra, MD. The side effects or adverse effects from valproic acid Depakote in people with dementia involve ra What tests are required before taking anticonvulsants? John Preston, PsyD. It's best to stop drinking alcohol during the first few days, until you see how the medicine affects you.
Valproic acid can reduce fertility in both men and women. Once you stop taking this medicine, your fertility will return. In men valproic acid has been reported to cause infertility.
However, this is rare. In women it can change your menstrual cycle, causing delayed or missed periods. Valproic acid has also been reported to cause polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS , though this happens rarely. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about how valproic acid may affect your fertility.
Valproic acid is not recommended if there's a chance you could become pregnant. If you're taking valproic acid and want to start a family, it's important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. This is because taking valproic acid while pregnant can harm your baby. Valproic acid does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception. If there's a chance you could become pregnant while taking sodium valproate you must use contraception.
Your doctor will put you on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme. Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you have any questions about this programme.
You may feel sleepy, tired or dizzy when you first start taking valproic acid. This may also happen if your dose has increased. If you're affected, do not drive or ride a bike until you feel more alert. If you have epilepsy, you're not allowed to drive until you've had no seizures for 1 year or only have seizures while you're asleep. If you change your epilepsy medicine, your doctor will tell you whether you need to stop driving and for how long. Driving rules if you change or withdraw your medicine, Epilepsy Action.
Epilepsy and driving information, GOV. Page last reviewed: 3 September Next review due: 3 September Valproic acid - Brand names: Belvo, Depakote, Dyzantil, Convulex, Syonell On this page About valproic acid Key facts Who can and cannot take valproic acid How and when to take valproic acid Side effects How to cope with side effects of valproic acid Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about valproic acid.
About valproic acid Valproic acid is used to treat bipolar disorder. Valproate pregnancy prevention programme The valproate pregnancy prevention programme is very important and is still running during the coronavirus COVID pandemic.
Updated: 3 September Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? You'll usually take valproic acid 2 or 3 times a day. You can take it with or without food. You'll usually start on a low dose.
Your dose will gradually increase over a few days or weeks. Sodium valproate and semisodium valproate are similar to valproic acid and work in the same way. However, these medicines are used to treat different conditions and doses will vary. There are also brands such as Epilim Chrono, Epilim Chronosphere and Dyzantil which contain mostly sodium valproate, with some valproic acid.
If you're pregnant, or there's a chance you could become pregnant, valproic acid is not recommended for treating migraine. For epilepsy and bipolar disorder, your doctor will only prescribe valproic acid for you if there are no other suitable treatments.
To make sure valproic acid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to valproic acid or any other medicine have liver problems have a rare metabolic or genetic condition such as porphyria, urea cycle disorder or mitochondrial disorder. Dosage The usual dose for treating bipolar disorder for: adults — mg to 2,mg a day, split into 2 or 3 doses children — the doctor will work out the right dose for your child The usual dose for preventing migraine for: adults — mg to 1,mg a day, split into 2 or 3 doses The usual dose for treating epilepsy for: adults and older children aged 12 years and over — mg to 2,mg a day, split into 2 to 4 doses younger children weighing more than 20kg — the doctor will use your child's weight to work out the right dose for them If you need to take your medicine more than once a day, you'll take equal doses that add up to your daily total.
How and when take it Valproic acid comes as gastro resistant tablets and capsules. Will my dose go up or down? What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Taking too much valproic acid can lead to symptoms such as: feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting headaches, or feeling dizzy muscle weakness breathing problems feeling confused, or changes to your normal behaviour passing out.
Urgent advice: Contact for advice now if:. Common side effects These common side effects may happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away: stomach pain, feeling or being sick diarrhoea dry or sore mouth, or swollen gums shakes tremors in a part of your body, or 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 Serious side effects It's unusual to have serious side effects after taking valproic acid.
Tell a doctor straight away if you have: thoughts of harming or killing yourself — a small number of people taking valproic acid have had suicidal thoughts yellowing of the whites of your eyes or your skin, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin, and dark pee — these may be signs of liver problems long-lasting and severe nausea, vomiting or stomach pain — these may be signs of acute pancreatitis an inflamed pancreas unusual bruises or bleeding — these may be signs of a blood disorder Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, valproic acid may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: stomach pain, feeling or being sick — take valproic acid with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food. Take small, frequent sips of water if you're being sick to avoid dehydration.
Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If this does not help, or you have mouth ulcers , talk to your pharmacist or doctor. If you're bothered by swollen gums or this symptom does not go away, talk to your doctor or dentist. These symptoms can be a sign that your dose is too high. Talk to your doctor as they may want to change your dose or suggest you take it at a different time.
If these symptoms do not get better within a week or two, your doctor may either reduce your dose or increase it more slowly. If that does not work, talk to your doctor as they may want to switch you to a different medicine. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if your headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
Regular exercise will also help you keep your weight stable. Your doctor will usually monitor your weight while you're taking this medicine. Speak to them if you have any concerns. Your hair may regrow after either reducing your dose or switching to a different medicine. As well as being a side effect of valproic acid, a late period is a sign that you could be pregnant, and valproic acid can be harmful for an unborn baby.
Changes to your periods can also be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS , a rare side effect of valproic acid. Your doctor will be able to do some tests to check whether you have PCOS.
Valproid acid and pregnancy Valproic acid is not recommended in pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects and problems with your baby's learning and behaviour.
Information: You must have a review of your treatment every year. Valproic acid and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy you can take valproic acid while breastfeeding.
Talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if: your baby is not feeding as well as usual your baby is bruising more easily than usual the whites of your baby's eyes turn yellow or your baby's skin turns yellow this may be less obvious on brown or black skin , or your baby has dark pee or pale poo — these can be signs of jaundice you have any other concerns about your baby.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:.
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