Valproic Acid: Uses, Side effects, Dosage

  • Valproic Acid is a Prescription Drug  and it is also Called Valroate or Epival (divalproex sodium), Depakote (USA), Depakene (valproic acid).
  • Valproate is commonly used in children with generalized seizures who are prone to absence seizures and tonic-clonic seizures.
  • It is also used for a variety of other seizures, in both children and adults, including tonic-clonic, myoclonic, complex partial, photosensitive, and the seizures associated with Juveninle Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
  • Valproic acid is also used to treat manic episodes related to bipolar disorder (manic depression), and to prevent migraine headaches.
  • Valproic acid affects chemicals in the body that may be involved in causing seizures.
  • Don’t Use Volproic Acid If You  Have a genetic disorder such as Alpers’ disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (especially in a child younger than 2 years old),  liver disease,And  a urea cycle disorder Or if you allergic to volproic acid.

Mechanism OF Action:

Valproic Acid dissociates to the valproate ion in the GI (gastrointestinal)  tract and then binds to an enzyme  and inhibits GABA transaminase. The drug’s anticonvulsant activity may be related to increased brain concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, by inhibiting enzymes that catabolize GABA or block the reuptake of GABA into glia and nerve endings.

Valproic Acid may also work by suppressing repetitive neuronal firing through inhibition of voltage-sensitive sodium channels.

 

Valproic Acid Side Effects

Common Side Effects Seen With The Use of Valproic Acid ;

·         Dizziness

·         Drowsiness

·         Headache

·         Constipation

·         Diarrhea

·         Changes in appetite

·         Back pain

·         Agitation

·         Mood swings

·         Hair loss

·         Abnormal thinking

·         Ringing in the ears

·         Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body

·         Problems with walking or coordination

·         Blurred or double vision

·         Uncontrollable movements of the eyes

 

Apart From These Side effects Valproic Acid Causes Some Serious Side effects Like;

·         Weakness or swelling in the joints

·         Unusual bruising or bleeding

·         Tiny purple or red spots on the skin

·         Rash

·         Bruising

·         Fever

·         Hives

·         Difficulty breathing or swallowing

·         Swollen glands

·         Peeling or blistering skin

·         Tiredness

·         Confusion

·         Drop in body temperature

·         Swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat

Valproic Acid Dosage

Dose for Epilepsy (Adults)

For Complex partial seizures:
Initial dose Of 10 to 15 mg/kg orally or IV daily Then increase by 5 to 10 mg/kg per week if necessary according to clinical response.Then A Maintenance dose of 10 to 60 mg/kg daily
Don’t Exceed from 60 mg/kg daily

For Simple and complex absence seizures:
Initial dose of 15 mg/kg orally or IV daily Then increase by 5 to 10 mg/kg per week if necessary according to clinical response Then a Maintenance dose of 10 to 60 mg/kg daily.
Don’t Exceed From 60 mg/kg daily

Dose for Epilepsy(Pediatric)

10 years or older:
Complex partial seizures:
Initial dose Of 10 to 15 mg/kg orally or IV daily then increase by 5 to 10 mg/kg per week if necessary according to clinical response Then Maintenance dose of 10 to 60 mg/kg daily

Don’t Exceed From 60 mg/kg daily

Simple and complex absence seizures:
Initial dose Of 15 mg/kg orally or IV daily then increase by 5 to 10 mg/kg per week if necessary according to clinical response Then Maintenance dose of 10 to 60 mg/kg daily.


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