Valproic Acid

Valproic Acid

Valproic acid has caught the attention of medical professionals for its wide-ranging uses. This versatile medication influences the brain's chemical balance, offering relief to many patients struggling with neurological and psychiatric conditions. It helps seizure control and mood stabilisation and even helps manage chronic headaches.

This blog aims to shed light on valproic levels in the body, how valproic medication works, and the necessary precautions to remember. 

What is Valproic Acid?

Valproic acid is a powerful medication that doctors prescribe to treat various neurological and psychiatric conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, which work by increasing the amount of a specific natural substance in the brain. This substance helps to restore the balance of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that play primary role in brain function.

Valproic Acid Uses

Drug valproic acid has an impact on treating various neurological and psychiatric conditions. Doctors prescribe this versatile medication to address several health issues, including:

• Valproic acid helps control certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy. 
• The drug manages manic episodes, which are periods of frenzied, abnormally excited mood. 
• While valproic acid doesn't relieve headaches that have already begun, it has an influence on preventing future migraines. 

How to Use Valproic Acid Tablets

Drug valproic acid comes in various forms, including capsules, extended-release tablets, delayed-release tablets, sprinkle capsules, and syrup. Patients should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by their doctor.

• To take valproic acid tablets, swallow them whole with a full glass of water. Do not split, crush, or chew them. Take the medicine with food to help prevent stomach upset.
• Use valproic acid at the same time(s) each day to maintain a constant level of medication in the blood.
• For extended-release tablets, take them once a day.
• For other forms, such as syrup, capsules, delayed-release tablets, and sprinkle capsules, take them two or more times daily as directed.
• If using sprinkle capsules, swallow them whole, or open them and sprinkle the beads on a teaspoonful of soft food like applesauce or pudding. Do not store unused mixtures of medication.
• Measure the dose carefully using a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup for the syrup form.

Side Effects of Valproic Acid Tablet

Valproic acid, like all medicines, can cause numerous side effects. Common side effects include:

• Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Dry or sore mouth, swollen gums
• Tremors or unusual eye movements
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Headaches
• Tinnitus (hearing a ringing or buzzing sound in the ears)
• Weight gain
• Hair thinning or changes in hair colour/texture
• Irregular or delayed periods

Precautions

• Medical conditions: Medical history is crucial in determining the safety of valproic acid use. Patients should disclose any history of:

• Liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Metabolic disorders (e.g., urea cycle disorders, Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome)
• Alcohol abuse
• Bleeding problems
• Brain disease (dementia)
• Kidney disease
• Dehydration
• Poor nutrition

• Patients should avoid driving, using machinery, or engaging in activities requiring alertness until they understand how the medication affects them. 
• Children under six years old face a higher risk of liver problems and pancreatitis. 
• Older adults may experience increased sensitivity to side effects, particularly drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, or tremors, which can elevate the risk of falling.
• Pregnancy is a significant concern with valproic acid use. The medication can harm an unborn baby, causing serious congenital malformations, including neural tube defects. 
• Breastfeeding mothers should seek guidance from their doctor before using valproic acid, as it passes into breast milk.
• Patients should watch for signs & symptoms of liver problems, such as abdominal pain or tenderness, clay-coloured stools, dark urine, decreased appetite, itching, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, and yellowish discolouration of the eyes or skin.

How Valproic Acid Tablet Works

Valproic acid works through multiple mechanisms to treat various neurological and psychiatric conditions. Its primary actions include increasing GABA levels, inhibiting sodium channels, modulating calcium channels, and affecting gene expression. These diverse mechanisms contribute to its effectiveness in managing epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraines.

Can I Take Valproic Acid with Other Medicines?

Several medications can interact with valproic acid:

• Antihistamines, such as cetirizine and diphenhydramine
• Certain antidepressants like amitriptyline and nortriptyline
• Drugs for anxiety and sleep
• Irinotecan
• Mefloquine
• Opioid pain relievers
• Orlistat
• Seizure medications like ethosuximide, lamotrigine, rufinamide, and topiramate 
• Some antibiotics, particularly carbapenems such as imipenem
• Warfarin, a blood thinner
• Zidovudine used to treat HIV

Dosing Information

• For epilepsy treatment in adults and children ten years or older, the initial oral dose is 10 to 15 mg/kg/day. 
• In cases of simple and complex absence seizures, the starting dose is often 15 mg/kg/day orally. 
• Intravenous (IV) administration is an option for patients who cannot take oral medication. The IV dose is equivalent to the oral dose and frequency, administered as a 60-minute infusion rate of no greater than 20 mg/min. 
• When treating bipolar mania, the initial dose is typically 750 mg/day, divided into smaller doses. 
• For migraine prevention, adults usually start with 250 mg twice daily, with potential increases up to 1000 mg/day.

Conclusion

Valproic acid helps manage various neurological and psychiatric conditions, offering relief to patients struggling with epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraines. Its ability to adjust brain chemistry makes it a versatile tool in the medical field. However, it's crucial to remember that this powerful medication requires careful monitoring and should only be taken under close medical supervision due to its potential side effects.

FAQ's

1. What is valproic acid mainly used for?

Valproic acid has an impact on treating various neurological and psychiatric conditions. Doctors prescribe this versatile medication to address several health issues:

• Seizure disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Migraine prevention
• Chronic pain syndromes

2. Who can't take valproic acid?

Valproic acid is not suitable for everyone. Certain groups of people should avoid taking this medication:

• People with liver disease
• Individuals with metabolic disorders
• People with certain genetic disorders
• Pregnant women
• Women who could become pregnant
• Children under two years old

3. Can you take valproic acid every day?

You can take valproic acid daily as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage and frequency depend on the individual patient factors and the condition being treated. 

4. Can I take valproic acid at night?

Yes, valproic acid can be taken at night. In fact, for some patients, taking it at night might be beneficial. 

5. What is the most common side effect of valproic acid?

Valproic acid can cause various side effects. The most common ones include:

• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea 
• Drowsiness, dizziness, and tremors
• Some patients experience an increase in weight 
• Thinning hair or changes in hair colour or texture
• Women may experience irregular or delayed periods

6. What to avoid when taking valproic acid?

When taking valproic acid, patients should avoid:

• Alcohol
• Driving or operating machinery
• Some antibiotics, antidepressants, and other seizure medications 
• Stopping the medication abruptly
• Pregnancy 

7. When should the valproic acid level be checked after starting?

Monitoring valproic acid levels is crucial for ensuring effective and safe treatment. Here's when to check:

• Shortly after starting the medication
• After dosage adjustments
• After achieving steady levels in the therapeutic range, monitoring may occur at less frequent but regular intervals.
• If the condition isn't responding
• If side effects occur
• Before planned surgical procedures
• Throughout pregnancy

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not meant to substitute an advice from a healthcare professional. The information is not intended to cover all the possible uses, side-effects, precautions, and drug interactions. This information is not intended to suggest that using a specific drug is suitable, safe, or efficient for you or anyone else. The absence of any information or warning regarding the drug should not be interpreted as an implicit guarantee from the organisation. We strongly advise you to consult a doctor if you have any concerns about the drug and never use the medication without a doctor’s prescription.