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|Valproic Acid

Valproic Acid

Valproic Acid is used for:

Controlling certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Valproic Acid is an anticonvulsant. It works by increasing a certain chemical in the brain.

Do NOT use Valproic Acid if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Valproic Acid
• you have liver problems, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, or urea cycle disorder

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Valproic Acid :

Some medical conditions may interact with Valproic Acid . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of metabolic disease, blood disease, HIV, high blood levels of ammonia or glutamine, low levels of albumin, brain problems (eg, organic brain disease), mental retardation, inflammation of the pancreas, kidney problems, or low levels of white blood cells, or if you are scheduled for surgery
• if you have a history of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency or unexplained coma
• if you have a family history of urea cycle disorders or unexplained infant deaths

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Valproic Acid . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), carbamazepine, erythromycin, felbamate, fluoxetine, guanfacine, isoniazid, ketoconazole, risperidone, or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because the risk of serious side effects of Valproic Acid , including blurred vision or other vision problems, clumsiness or unsteadiness, drowsiness, nausea, or vomiting, may be increased
• Acyclovir, cancer medicines, cholestyramine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), mefloquine, meropenem, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or rifampin because they may decrease Valproic Acid "s effectiveness
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), ethosuximide, lamotrigine, methylphenidate, primidone, tolbutamide, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Valproic Acid
• Clonazepam because the risk of seizures may be increased
• Topiramate because the risk of high ammonium levels and brain problems may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Valproic Acid may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Valproic Acid :

Use Valproic Acid as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An additional patient leaflet is available with Valproic Acid . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Valproic Acid may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Swallow Valproic Acid whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Valproic Acid works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• Continue to use Valproic Acid even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Valproic Acid , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Valproic Acid .

Important safety information:

• Valproic Acid may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or changes in vision. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. Using Valproic Acid alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Valproic Acid . Valproic Acid will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Valproic Acid .
• Diabetes patients - Valproic Acid may cause incorrect test results with urine tests for ketones. Check with your doctor before you adjust the dose of your diabetes medicine or change your diet.
• Lab tests, including blood cell counts and liver function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Valproic Acid with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially sleepiness.
• Use Valproic Acid with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed. CHILDREN younger than 2 years of age may be at increased risk of serious liver problems.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Valproic Acid has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Valproic Acid during pregnancy. Valproic Acid is excreted into breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Valproic Acid .

Possible side effects of Valproic Acid :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Change in appetite; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; hair loss; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach pain; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight changes.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abdominal cramps; abnormal thinking; change in menstrual period; changes in mood or behavior; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; difficulty speaking; difficulty urinating or other urination problems; extreme tiredness; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; general body discomfort; hallucinations; hearing loss; involuntary movements of the arms and legs; involuntary movements or chewing movements of face, jaw, mouth, or tongue; joint pain; lack of energy; loss of appetite; loss of coordination; loss of seizure control; memory loss; nosebleed; pounding in the chest; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; sore throat; swelling of the arms or legs; tremor; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness; vision changes; yellowing of skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include deep sleep; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness.

Store Valproic Acid at room temperature, below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Valproic Acid out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Valproic Acid , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Valproic Acid is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Valproic Acid . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.