Liquid Dosage Forms-Valprate

Composition:

  • Each 5 ml of Valprate syrup contains: 250 mg Sodium Valproate.
  • Each prolonged-release film-coated tablets of Valprate contains: 333 mg Sodium valproate and 145 mg Valproic acid

(Equivalent amount of sodium valproate 500 mg)

Properties:

Valprate is from a group of medications called anti-epileptics or anti-convulsants.

Indications:

Valprate is used to control seizures in most types of epilepsy by increasing brain concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Dosage:

  • Valprate syrup:

The recommended initial dosage is 15 mg/kg/day, increasing at

one-week intervals by 5 to 10 mg/kg/day, until seizures are controlled. The maximum recommended dosage is 60 mg/kg/day, When the total daily dose exceeds 250 mg, it should be given in a divided regimen.

  • Valprate tablets (for adults and children over 6 years of age and

weighing more than 17 kg):

The recommended initial dosage is between 1000 mg and 2000 mg per day, this dose may be increased to 2500 mg per day. It is generally divided into 1 to 2 doses per day, preferably during meals.

  • Do not stop taking Valprate unless the doctor tells you.

Contraindications:

Valprate is not used in these cases:

  • Hypersensitivity to Sodium Valproate, divalproate or valpromide.
  • Hepatic disease.
  • Mitochondrial disorders.
  • Urea cycle disorders.

Side effects:

These side effects may occur such as:

  • Headache, asthenia and fever.
  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and dyspepsia.
  • Somnolence, tremor, dizziness.
  • Hair loss and skin rash.
  • Irregular menses.

Precautions:

Tell your doctor before taking Valprate in these cases:

  • Kidney disease
  • Serious skin reactions
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Pancreatitis
  • Somnolence in the elderly
  • Pregnancy and Breast-feeding
  • Caution should be exercised during driving or operating machines
  • Valprate can change the levels of liver enzymes, so the doctor may do regular liver function tests before and during the treatments. Drug interactions:

Tell your doctor if you take other medicines such as:

  • Warfarin and Aspirin
  • (Carbapenem) Antibiotics
  • Rifampin
  • Antacids
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Carbamazepine
  • Clonazepam and Diazepam
  • Herbal medicines
  • Zidovudine and protease inhibitors such as Lopinavir or Ritonavir
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Package:

  • Each bottle of Valprate syrup contains 120 ml
  • Each box of Valprate tablets contains 30 Tablets

Storage:

  • Keep the bottle tightly closed at a temperature below 30 C
  • Keep in dry place and away from light