Sodium valproate
Also sold as: Epilim, Depakine
Prescription neededEpilepsy and nerve pain
Comes as:TabletSyrupInjection
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: start with 300 mg twice a day; the doctor raises it slowly, usually to 1 g to 2 g a day. Women and girls who could become pregnant must not take it unless the doctor says there is no other choice and they use reliable contraception.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- weight gain
- hair loss
- mild shaking
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe stomach pain with vomiting (pancreatitis)
- yellow eyes or skin
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Pregnancy, and women or girls who could become pregnant (high risk of birth defects)
- Liver disease, or family history of serious liver disease
- Mitochondrial disease
- Porphyria
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Lamotrigine
Valproate doubles lamotrigine levels and raises the risk of serious rash; the lamotrigine dose must be lowered.
- Meropenem