Valproic Acid (By mouth)
val-PROE-ik AS-id
Treats seizures. Also treats bipolar disorder and helps prevent migraine headaches.
Drug classes
Anticonvulsant, Antimanic, Antimigraine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
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.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Delayed Release Capsule, Liquid Filled Capsule, Liquid
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
You may take this medicine with food to decrease stomach upset.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose:Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how valproic acid works. Tell your doctor if you are using aspirin, rifampin, tolbutamide, zidovudine, other seizure medicines, a sedative medicine, medicine to treat infections, medicine to treat depression or anxiety, or a blood thinner (such as warfarin).
Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used with this medicine. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or use pain relievers or sleeping pills.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to divalproex, sodium valproate, or valproic acid. Do not use it if you are pregnant, or if you have liver disease or certain genetic disorders (such as urea cycle or mitochondrial disorder).
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, or a history of depression or mental illness.
This medicine can increase depression and thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Liver problems Pancreatitis Hyperammonemic encephalopathy (too much ammonia in your blood) Thrombocytopenia (decrease in blood cells that affect clotting)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.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Confusion, problems with memory, unusual drowsiness, clumsiness
Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Fever, rash, swollen glands in the neck, armpits, or groin
Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
Thoughts of hurting yourself, depression, unusual changes in behavior
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Anxiety, agitation, restlessness, trouble sleeping, tremor
Blurred vision, dizziness, headache
Diarrhea, mild stomach pain
Tiredness, sleepiness
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Alti-Valproic, Depakene, Depakote, Depakote DR, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkles, Stavzor
There may be other brand names for this medicine.