SODIUM VALPROATE (EPILIM)

The drug valproate is an epilepsy drug, which has been studied for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a motor neuron disease. Sodium volproate is also used for mania (a condition in which a person is very excited, agitated, talking quickly, sleeping little and with expansive ideas). Sodium valproate has been used for prevention of migraine, and pain conditions including trigeminal neuralgia. Usually the medicine is started as a low dose and increased gradually to get the best benefit. Epilim comes in a cherry flavored liquid or syrup, chewable tablets or enteric-coated tablets. The syrup contains regular sugar and artificial sweeteners and the liquid contains artificial sweeteners.

Like all medicines, sodium valporate may have side effects. But mostly all people will not get these problems. Most commonly stomach effects can occur, especially when starting with this medicine. The enteric-coated tablets are intended to stay intact in the stomach and not dissolve until they get to the intestine, so can reduce the stomach effects. The syrup liquid or chewable tablets can be taken with meals.

Liver effects - watch for weakness, lethargy, tiredness or drowsiness, generally feeling unwell, vomiting, stomach pain, not wanting to eat, jaundice (person looks yellow) - these symptoms happens suddenly. Can prolong bleeding time - if bruising without a cause or bleeding occurs talk immediately to your physician. Skin rash (immediately talk to the physician). Sedation - is only temporary as the body gets used to the medicine. Some people will become more alert in its place. Tremor or lack of coordination (occasionally with high dose only). Increased hunger and increase in weight. Some other important drugs are dutasteride, dapoxetine, androz, fluticasone and rimoslim.

There are other side effects, which are not listed here. If the dose is too high to start with or is increased too fast there may be a higher chance of side effects. Talk to your doctor if you think you have any of these side affects or other symptons.