Has your doctor prescribed a new medication to control your seizures? Is that medication called Valproic Acid? Then you probably have a lot of questions about this medication, what it does, and what you need to be careful about when using it. That's very normal. So today, let's talk about this medication called Valproic Acid in a simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Valproic Acid?
Valproic Acid is a medicine that is used to prevent and control seizures in conditions like epilepsy. Simply put, sometimes the nerves in our brain fire too fast and unnecessarily. That's when a seizure occurs. This medicine works by calming down those overactive nerves.
This medication may sometimes be prescribed by doctors for other conditions, so if you have any questions about why you have been prescribed this medication, it is best to talk to your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting Valproic Acid, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions, especially if you have any:
| Your situation | Why is notification important? |
|---|---|
| If you drink alcohol regularly | Because this medication can affect the liver, alcohol can increase that risk. |
| Kidney or Liver disease | Because these organs are involved in the process of eliminating Valproic Acid from the body, their disease conditions may affect the effectiveness of the drug. |
| Low platelet counts | This medication may increase the risk of bleeding, so it is important to report this condition. |
| Genetic diseases such as mitochondrial disease or urea cycle disorder (UCD) | People with these rare conditions are at risk of serious side effects from Valproic Acid. |
| If you or someone in your family has had suicidal thoughts | The doctor should be aware of this medication, as it can affect the psyche of some people. |
| If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | (Very important) Valproic Acid can cause serious harm to the baby in the womb. Therefore, it is essential to talk openly with the doctor about this. |
| If you have allergies to other medicines, foods, or substances | This is important to know if you are allergic to Valproic Acid or any of its ingredients. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of the medicine, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Swallow the tablet/capsule whole with a glass of water.
- Very important: Do not break, crush, or chew this medicine. Doing so may change how well it works.
- If you experience stomach upset or nausea when taking this medicine, take it with food. Or you can take it without food.
- Take the prescribed dose as directed by your doctor. If you are told to take it twice a day, try to take it at the same time, about 12 hours apart.
- Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medication suddenly without medical advice. Doing so risks causing the fit to return.
- Although this medication is prescribed for some conditions in children over the age of 10, there are special considerations to be made. Therefore, if you are giving this medication to your child, talk to your doctor about it carefully.
Attention: If you have the slightest suspicion that you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses at once for any reason.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Other medications you are taking may interact with Valproic Acid, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Never take Valproic Acid with this medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Sodium phenylbutyrate | |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking these medications. | |
| Painkillers and antibiotics | Aspirin, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem |
| Medications for other fits | Medicines such as carbamazepine, clonazepam, diazepam, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate |
| Medication for mental illness | Some medications for depression or anxiety |
| Other medications | Warfarin, Cholestyramine, Propofol, Rifampin, Ritonavir, Zidovudine, and hormones (estrogen and progestin) such as birth control pills, which are used to prevent blood clots |
Special things you should be aware of when taking the medicine
Possible serious skin reactions
Some people may develop a serious skin reaction a few weeks or months after starting this medicine. If you experience symptoms such as fever, body aches, red or purple blisters on your skin, blistering, or peeling skin, call your doctor right away. Also, if you notice a rash on your skin along with swelling of your face, lips, or swollen lymph nodes in your neck/armpits, this can also be a serious sign.
Sleepiness and attention
You may feel sleepy, dizzy, or have blurred vision while taking Valproic Acid. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing other activities that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce dizziness, especially if you are elderly, avoid getting up suddenly from a sitting position. Drinking alcohol can make this drowsiness worse, so avoid drinking alcohol altogether.
Special warning about pregnancy
If you are a woman, this section is very important. If you are planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Valproic Acid can cause serious birth defects, especially of the nervous system. Therefore, if you are thinking about having a baby, it is important to discuss this with your doctor before becoming pregnant and talk about a safer option.
Take care of your mental health.
You and your family should be aware of changes in your mental state, especially when you first start taking the medication or when the dosage is changed.
- New or worsening depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- A feeling of worry, restlessness, and irritability
- Insomnia
If you experience symptoms such as:
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, Valproic Acid can have side effects.
| If you notice these symptoms, notify your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and extreme fatigue. |
| Pancreatitis | Severe pain radiating from the middle of the abdomen to the back, pain that increases when eating or touching the abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting. |
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Other serious symptoms | Restlessness and suicidal thoughts, unexplained bruising or bleeding, excessive sleepiness, and confusion. |
| Usually not serious, but tell your doctor if it's bothersome. | |
| Minor side effects | Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, hair loss, hand tremors, weight gain, vision changes. |
Take-Home Message
- Never break, crush, or chew Valproic Acid tablets/capsules. Swallow them whole.
- Even if you feel better, avoid stopping the medication without your doctor's advice.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe skin rash, severe stomach pain, or significant changes in your mood (especially thoughts of suicide).
- If you are a woman and are expecting a baby, it is extremely important to tell your doctor before you become pregnant .
- Give your doctor a complete description of all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
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