What is Valproate Sodium: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Valproate Sodium

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least 60 minutes.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

• You may be given a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

• Your doctor may also give you other medicines (including folic acid supplements), especially before and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, to prevent serious unwanted effects to your unborn baby.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. It must be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least 60 minutes.

• You may be given a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

• Your doctor may also give you other medicines (including folic acid supplements), especially before and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, to prevent serious unwanted effects to your unborn baby.

• Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

What to do if you miss a dose of Valproate Sodium

Valproate Sodium contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to divalproex, valproate sodium, or valproic acid, or if you have liver disease, certain genetic disorders (including urea cycle disorder or mitochondrial disorder), or to prevent migraine headaches if you are pregnant.

Valproate Sodium warnings

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, blood disease, pancreas problems, a viral infection (including HIV or cytomegalovirus infection), or head trauma.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsPancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)Bleeding problems (including thrombocytopenia)Hyperammonemic encephalopathy (high levels of ammonia in the blood)Hypothermia (low body temperature)Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage organs, including the liver, kidney, or heart

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Valproate Sodium interactions

• Some medicines can affect how valproate sodium works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Amitriptyline, aspirin, chlorpromazine, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, nortriptyline, rifampin, ritonavir, propofol, rufinamide, tolbutamide, zidovudineBirth control pillBlood thinner (including warfarin)Carbapenem antibiotic (including ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem)Other seizure medicine (including carbamazepine, ethosuximide, felbamate, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate)

• Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used together with this medicine.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Liver problemsPancreatitisThrombocytopenia (decrease in blood cells that affect clotting)Hyperammonemic encephalopathy (high levels of ammonia in the blood)Hypothermia (low body temperature)Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage organs such as the liver, kidney, or heart

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.