Sodium Valproate

Sodium Valproate

DAE Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; EPILIM

• Drugs used in bipolar disorders
• Migraine prophylaxis

Sodium Valproate is anticonvulsant drug. It acts by potentiating GABA , an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Sodium Valproate is a drug of choice in all forms of epilepsy. Sodium Valproate is also used as the free acid i.e valproic acid, that was found to have an antiepileptic properties when used as a solvent in the search for other antiepileptic drug and Sodium Valproate is licensed for the acute manic attacks associated with bipolar disorders. The amides and esters of valproic acid are also active antileptic agents.

Sodium Valproate is primarily indicated in conditions like All forms of epilepsy, Generalised epilepsy with absence seizures, Prophylaxis of febrile convulsion, Prophylaxis of post traumatic epilepsy, Status epilepticus, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Alcohol withdrawal, Mania, Nelsons syndrome, Tardive dyskinesias.

No data regarding the contra indications of Sodium Valproate is available.

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Sodium Valproate, which give rise to further complications include Thrombocytopenia.

Sodium Valproate produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Pancreatitis, Liver damage, Extrapyrimidal symptoms, Hyperammonemia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Sodium Valproate therapy.

The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Sodium Valproate include Deepening coma, Death.

The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Sodium Valproate are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Weight gain, Tremor, Hair loss, GI disorders, Hematological disorder, Leucopenia, bone marrow depression, nocturnal enuresis, curly hair development.

Sodium valporate should be used with caution in patients with liver disease, bleeding disorder, history of a brain disorder or any allergy. It should be used caution while driving motor vehicles or performing tasks that require alertness. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, inform the doctor about the use of drug. This may interfere with urine ketone testing and give false positive results, if very high sugar readings (e.g.over 300) are occurring, ketones may be present in urine, contact the doctor or pharmacist. It should be used with extreme caution in children under 2 years old as serious liver problems exist.The drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation, Because it may cause some neural tube defect. Avoid use in pancreatitis,porphyria. Use with caution in HIV, lupus erythrematosus risk of weight gain associated with it.

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, patients suffering from Kidney dysfunction, patients suffering from Liver Malfunction, Geriatrics, and Neonates.

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers

Adult Dosage

1 to 2 g /12 hourly / PO

As maintenance dose.

600 mg  /As recommended / PO

should be given in two divided doses. Take after food as starting dose. Increase gradually to maintenance dose.

Paedriatic Dosage (20kg

20 to 30 mg/kg /24 hourly / Oral

Maintenance doses , exceed upto 35mg/kg

0 to 400 mg /kg /24 hourly / Oral

initial daily dose for children weighing more than 20 kg ,should be given in two divided doses

20 to 40 mg/kg /24 hourly / Oral

initial daily dose for children weighing less han 20 kg ,should be given in two divided doses

Neonatal Dosage (3kg)

6 to 12 mg/kg /8 hourly / Intravenous

6 to 12 mg/kg /8 hourly / Oral

Sodium Valproate