Valproic acid

Description and Brand Names Drug information provided by: US Brand Name • Depakene • Depakote • Depakote DR • Depakote ER • Depakote Sprinkles • Stavzor Canadian Brand Name • Alti-Valproic Descriptions Valproic acid is used to treat certain types of seizures (epilepsy). This medicine is an anticonvulsant that works in the brain tissue to stop seizures. Valproic acid is also used to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), and helps prevent migraine headaches. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms: • Syrup • Solution • Capsule, Liquid Filled • Tablet, Delayed Release • Capsule, Delayed Release • Tablet, Extended Release

Abstract The use of valproic acid (VPA) (also known as Depakote, Depakene, and others) frequently results in elevated plasma ammonia. In some people, hyperammonemia may be clinically significant, resulting in hyperammonemic encephalopathy, which may be severe. Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy may occur in people with normal liver function, despite normal doses and serum levels of VPA. We describe 2 cases of valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy in patients with supratherapeutic VPA levels, although the condition has been described in people with normal VPA levels. With the increasing indications and off-label uses of VPA, family physicians should be aware of this potential complication of VPA and check ammonia levels in patients taking VPA who present with alterations in mental status. Treatment with L-carnitine may be beneficial in reducing ammonia levels. Valproic acid (VPA) is effective in the treatment of seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, migraine headache prophylaxis, neuropathic pain, restless legs syndrome, dementia-related agitation, and social anxiety disorder, among other conditions. VPA has numerous drug interactions and toxicities; severe toxicities include hepatic damage, pancreatitis, teratogenicity, thrombocytopenia, and hyperammonemia. Here we depict 2 case reports of VPA-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE), both occurring in patietns with no history of underlying liver disease. In one instance, the patient was ab...

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide or patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Swallow the delayed-release capsules or oral capsules whole with a full glass of water. Do not split, crush, or chew it. You may take this medicine with food to decrease stomach upset. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the contents onto a small amount of soft food (including applesauce or pudding). Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Dosing The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. • For oral dosage forms (capsules, delayed-release capsules, and solution): • For seizures: • Adults and children 10 years of age or older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 10 to 15 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day. Your doctor may gradually increase your...

When you read about valproic acid, you will also see the word valproate (val-PRO-ate). This is the name of valproic acid after it has changed into the form that actually works in the body. A few other seizure medicines also are changed into valproate, so they work in the same way as valproic acid. The best-known valproate medicine in the United States is brand-name Depakote. Using generic medicines rather than brand-name ones is often suggested as a way to save money. Sometimes the savings are large, but with other medicines the price differences are pretty small. Investigate and shop around before deciding whether the savings are worth any possible problems. People who switch from brand-name Depakene or Depakote, for instance, to generic valproic acid possibly risk having more seizures or side effects during the changeover, because the body may not absorb the different types in the same way. Switching from one company's generic valproic acid to another company's may have similar risks. So can switching from generic valproic acid to Depakene or Depakote. All these risks are not fully known. For some people the effects of changing from one type to another are very small. Some use generic valproic acid successfully by always using the same company's product. Then the dosage can be adjusted to achieve the best results. What's important is that you and the doctor should know what you're getting from the pharmacy and be able to control what type of seizure medicine you get. Var...

• العربية • تۆرکجه • Català • Čeština • Cymraeg • Deutsch • Ελληνικά • Español • Esperanto • Euskara • فارسی • Français • 한국어 • Hausa • Հայերեն • हिन्दी • Bahasa Indonesia • Italiano • עברית • Latina • Magyar • Minangkabau • Nederlands • 日本語 • Norsk bokmål • ଓଡ଼ିଆ • Polski • Português • Română • Русский • Simple English • Српски / srpski • Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски • Suomi • Svenska • Türkçe • Українська • Tiếng Việt • 吴语 • 中文 Key:NIJJYAXOARWZEE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y Valproate ( VPA) and its valproic acid, sodium valproate, and valproate semisodium forms are medications primarily used to treat Common side effects of valproate include nausea, vomiting, Valproate's precise mechanism of action is unclear. Valproate was first made in 1881 and came into medical use in 1962. million prescriptions. It is used primarily to treat Epilepsy [ ] Valproate has a broad spectrum of Mental illness [ ] Bipolar disorder [ ] Valproate products are also used to treat manic or mixed episodes of Schizophrenia [ ] A 2016 There is limited evidence that adding valproate to Outcome Findings in words Findings in numbers Quality of evidence Global outcome Clinically significant response When added to antipsychotic drugs valproate probably increases the chance of improvement. Data are based on moderate quality evidence. Leaving the study early for any reason Valproate in combination with antipsychotics may slightly reduce the chance of leaving the study early, but the difference between the two treatme...

Usual Adult Dose for: • Usual Pediatric Dose for: • Additional dosage information: • • • • • • Usual Adult Dose for Epilepsy COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURES: Initial dose: 10 to 15 mg/kg/day orally; doses greater than 250 mg/day should be given in divided doses • Increase in increments of 5 to 10 mg/kg weekly as necessary to achieve optimal response Maximum dose: 60 mg/kg/day Conversion to Monotherapy: Initiate therapy as above AND reduce concomitant antiepileptic drug dose by approximately 25% every 2 weeks; reduction may start right away or be delayed by 1 to 2 weeks; speed and duration of withdrawal may be highly variable; monitor closely for increased seizure frequency SIMPLE AND COMPLEX ABSENCE SEIZURES: Initial dose: 15 mg/kg/day orally; doses greater than 250 mg/day should be given in divided doses • Increase in increments of 5 to 10 mg/kg/day until seizures are controlled or side effects prevent further increases Maximum dose: 60 mg/kg daily Parenteral: • IV administration may be utilized when oral administration is temporarily not feasible • IV dosing: Equivalent to oral dose and frequency • Administration: 60-minute IV infusion (no more than 20 mg/min) • Drug level monitoring and dosage adjustments may be necessary • Patients should be switched to the oral formulation as soon as clinically feasible, use of the IV formulation for periods longer than 14 days has not been studied Comments: • Optimal clinical response is usually achieved at doses below 60 mg/kg/day; if sati...

Description and Brand Names Drug information provided by: US Brand Name • Depakene • Depakote • Depakote DR • Depakote ER • Depakote Sprinkles • Stavzor Canadian Brand Name • Alti-Valproic Descriptions Valproic acid is used to treat certain types of seizures (epilepsy). This medicine is an anticonvulsant that works in the brain tissue to stop seizures. Valproic acid is also used to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), and helps prevent migraine headaches. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms: • Syrup • Solution • Capsule, Liquid Filled • Tablet, Delayed Release • Capsule, Delayed Release • Tablet, Extended Release

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide or patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Swallow the delayed-release capsules or oral capsules whole with a full glass of water. Do not split, crush, or chew it. You may take this medicine with food to decrease stomach upset. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the contents onto a small amount of soft food (including applesauce or pudding). Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Dosing The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. • For oral dosage forms (capsules, delayed-release capsules, and solution): • For seizures: • Adults and children 10 years of age or older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, the usual dose is 10 to 15 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day. Your doctor may gradually increase your...

Abstract The use of valproic acid (VPA) (also known as Depakote, Depakene, and others) frequently results in elevated plasma ammonia. In some people, hyperammonemia may be clinically significant, resulting in hyperammonemic encephalopathy, which may be severe. Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy may occur in people with normal liver function, despite normal doses and serum levels of VPA. We describe 2 cases of valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy in patients with supratherapeutic VPA levels, although the condition has been described in people with normal VPA levels. With the increasing indications and off-label uses of VPA, family physicians should be aware of this potential complication of VPA and check ammonia levels in patients taking VPA who present with alterations in mental status. Treatment with L-carnitine may be beneficial in reducing ammonia levels. Valproic acid (VPA) is effective in the treatment of seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, migraine headache prophylaxis, neuropathic pain, restless legs syndrome, dementia-related agitation, and social anxiety disorder, among other conditions. VPA has numerous drug interactions and toxicities; severe toxicities include hepatic damage, pancreatitis, teratogenicity, thrombocytopenia, and hyperammonemia. Here we depict 2 case reports of VPA-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE), both occurring in patietns with no history of underlying liver disease. In one instance, the patient was ab...

When you read about valproic acid, you will also see the word valproate (val-PRO-ate). This is the name of valproic acid after it has changed into the form that actually works in the body. A few other seizure medicines also are changed into valproate, so they work in the same way as valproic acid. The best-known valproate medicine in the United States is brand-name Depakote. Using generic medicines rather than brand-name ones is often suggested as a way to save money. Sometimes the savings are large, but with other medicines the price differences are pretty small. Investigate and shop around before deciding whether the savings are worth any possible problems. People who switch from brand-name Depakene or Depakote, for instance, to generic valproic acid possibly risk having more seizures or side effects during the changeover, because the body may not absorb the different types in the same way. Switching from one company's generic valproic acid to another company's may have similar risks. So can switching from generic valproic acid to Depakene or Depakote. All these risks are not fully known. For some people the effects of changing from one type to another are very small. Some use generic valproic acid successfully by always using the same company's product. Then the dosage can be adjusted to achieve the best results. What's important is that you and the doctor should know what you're getting from the pharmacy and be able to control what type of seizure medicine you get. Var...