Sodium valproate tablets are one of the well-known drugs for the treatment of convulsive attacks. This drug helps to control seizure symptoms and stabilize mood. Sodium valproate affects neurotransmitters and can stabilize the electrical activity of the brain. For this reason, it plays an effective role in reducing the number and intensity of this migration, pre-seizures, and nerve pain caused by diabetes.

If your doctor has recently prescribed valproate sodium tablets for you, join us in an upcoming article from GCORP LLC Health Magazine to review what valproate sodium tablets are for and how to take them.

What is sodium valproate tablet?

Sodium valproate with English name Sodium Valproate is a type of central nervous system drug and is included in the category of anticonvulsant drugs... By reducing the excitability of the central nervous system, this pill helps to treat convulsive attacks, control epileptic symptoms, improve manic episodes and prevent migraine headaches.... Usually, the doctor prescribes sodium valproate, which is currently produced in doses of 200, 300 and 500 mg, for combination therapy.>

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The mechanism of action of sodium valproate

The mechanism of effect of this pill is based on the regulation of the brain's electrical activity and it is done through several paths:

• Increasing GABA concentration: Sodium valproate plays an important role in increasing the concentration of GABA (GABA) as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The increase in GABA reduces excessive electrical activity in the brain and thus controls seizures.
• Blocked sodium channels: This pill blocks sodium channels in the membrane of nerve cells.. Since the entry of sodium ions into nerve cells is involved in seizures, blocking these channels prevents excessive activity and excitability of neurons.

The duration of effect of sodium valproate varies depending on the metabolism of the body and the dosage of the drug in each person. However, doctors believe that it usually lasts about eight to 24 hours.

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What is sodium valproate tablet for?

The question of what sodium valproate tablets are for has been raised by many users.... In response, we must say that sodium valproate tablets 500 and its other doses are prescribed by a specialist doctor for the treatment and prevention of several disorders of the central nervous system, which include the following:

1- sodium valproate tablets for seizures

This pill is known as an anticonvulsant drug and by increasing the concentration of a chemical called GABA, it helps to control all types of convulsive attacks.

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2- sodium valproate tablet for bipolar disorder

Sodium valproate is effective for stabilizing mood and reducing manic episodes in bipolar disorder.. This drug helps to prevent the return of symptoms in bipolar patients.

3- sodium valproate tablet for migraine

This pill is prescribed as a preventive medicine for people who suffer from frequent and severe migraine attacks.... Sodium valproate can reduce migraine attacks by modulating nerve activity in the brain and reducing the excitability of neurons.. Of course, note that sodium valproate tablets are not prescribed for headaches and migraine attacks, but only to prevent migraine attacks..

4- Sodium valproate tablets for depression

Sodium valproate is used as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. This medication is usually effective along with antidepressants to manage depression associated with bipolar disorder. On the other hand, sodium valproate can be prescribed as an adjunctive therapy when depression does not respond to other medications.

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How to use sodium valproate tablets

This medicine must be taken orally and under the supervision of a doctor. The dose and amount of sodium valproate is different for different people. Therefore, take the medicine according to the doctor's order and avoid increasing or decreasing the dose arbitrarily... The doctor usually determines the dose of this pill based on the age, weight, type and severity of the disease, the general health status of the person and how to respond to the treatment..

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Other important points when taking sodium valproate include the following:

• This tablet should be swallowed whole with water.. so avoid crushing or chewing it.
• This drug affects the central nervous system.. so you should be under the supervision of a doctor when taking it.
• The doctor usually checks liver function, body temperature, blood ammonia level and plasma level before and during the use of sodium valproate tablets.
• Take the medicine completely until the end of the treatment period and avoid stopping it arbitrarily.
• To reduce the possibility of stomach upset, it is better to take this medicine with food.
• If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember... but if the next dose is close (less than four hours), you can skip the missed dose and take the pill as directed.

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The best time to take sodium valproate tablets

If the doctor prescribes this pill twice a day, it is better to take the medicine with an interval of 12 hours, i.e. in the morning and at night.. This means that you take the pill at the same time every day so that a constant dose of the medicine remains in the body.

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Method of discontinuing sodium valproate tablets

Cessation of valproate sodium 200 tablets and its other doses should be done gradually and under the supervision of a doctor. Usually, the doctor will reduce the dose of the drug over time.

Therefore, avoid stopping the drug arbitrarily.. because it can cause side effects.... The side effects of sudden discontinuation of sodium valproate include:

• Recurrence of seizure symptoms
• Confusion and shaking
restlessness
• Severe anxiety
Recurrence of manic and depressive episodes in bipolar patients

Precautions and contraindications for sodium valproate tablets

This medicine should be used with caution in the presence of the following conditions and diseases, and it may be contraindicated in some cases:

• Allergy to sodium valproate drug components
Liver and kidney problems
• People over 200
• High blood pressure
• A history of severe liver failure in the family
Lupus disease
• Children under 2 years old
• Blood disorders
• Inflammation of the pancreas
History of mental disorders such as major depression and anxiety
• Genetic diseases of defects in mitochondria

Sodium valproate in pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of sodium valproate tablets during pregnancy is not recommended.. because this drug can increase the risk of birth defects such as heart abnormalities, neural tube problems, defects of the skull and the fetal nervous system.. But if women who suffer from seizures or bipolar disorder become pregnant while taking sodium valproate, they should not stop the drug suddenly... because this situation can increase the possibility of hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the body tissues) of the mother and the fetus. give.

Also, it is not recommended to take sodium valproate tablets during breastfeeding.. because the ingredients of this medicine may be transferred to breast milk and have a negative effect on the baby's health. If the doctor deems it necessary for the mother to use this medicine during breastfeeding, the baby will be monitored for side effects such as sleepiness, feeding disorders or behavioral changes.

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Side effects of sodium valproate tablets

This drug, like other drugs, may cause common and serious side effects, which include the following:

Common side effects

These side effects usually disappear after a few days.. If not, you should tell your doctor:

• Headache and dizziness
sleepiness
• Weakness and trembling
• Heartache and diarrhea
• Blurred vision or diplopia
• Increasing or decreasing appetite
• Hair loss
• Disturbance in walking
• Weight gain or loss
• Change in menstrual periods
• Ringing in the ears
dry mouth

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Serious side effects

The following symptoms are one of the serious side effects of sodium valproate, which are usually caused by poisoning caused by this drug:

• Severe decrease in body temperature
• Increased heart rate
• Dryness and eye inflammation
• Bleeding
• Increasing blood ammonia level
• Very intense sleepiness
Allergic reaction Pancreatitis
• Hepatic damage

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Medicine interaction of valproate sodium

Drug interactions can affect the effectiveness of this pill or increase the likelihood of side effects... Drugs that may interact with sodium valproate tablets.. They are:

• diazepam
• Lamotrigine
Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Primidone
• Carbamazepine
• AIDS drugs such as zidovudine
• Contraceptive pills containing estrogen
Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline
• Aspirin
Blood thinners such as warfarin
• some antibiotics such as imipenem, meropenem and rifampin
• Anesthetics such as propofol
• Other anticonvulsant and migraine prevention drugs such as topiramate
• Cimetidine
• Cholesterol lowering medicine

Guide to see a doctor

Sodium valproate tablet is an anticonvulsant drug that is prescribed to improve the manic period in bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches.. This drug affects the central nervous system of the body.. Therefore, its use under the supervision of a doctor is very important.

You can visit GCORP LLC website to ask more questions and consult with the best specialist doctors, including an online psychiatrist.. Also, GCORP LLC allows you to make an appointment with a psychiatrist of your choice through an online appointment system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: medscape | nhs