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Welcome to VALPROATE Website
Valproate sodium helps to control absence seizures,
generalized tonic-clonic seizures or complex partial
seizures. Valproate sodium may also be used adjunctively in
patients with multiple seizure types, which include either
absence or tonic-clonic seizures. Valproate can be procured
in any of the following dosage forms:
Sodium valproate: Crushable tablets (100mg), Enteric coated
tablets (200mg and 500mg), Modified release tablets (200mg,
300mg and 500mg), Sugar free oral solution (200mg/5ml),
Syrup (200mg/5ml) or Injection (400mg with a 4ml vial of
water for injection for reconstitution).
Valproic acid: Enteric coated capsules (150mg, 300mg and
500mg), Valproic acid and sodium valproate have a 1:1 dosing
relationship
DOSAGE OF VALPROATE
Monotherapy:
Adults: 600mg per day, in divided doses increased by 200mg
every 3 days until control is achieved up to a maximum of
2.5g daily in divided doses. Usual dose of Valproate is 1-2g
daily in divided doses.
Children over 20kg: 400mg per day in divided doses
irrespective of weight increased until control is achieved
up to a maximum of 35mg/kg/day in divided doses. Usual dose
of Valproate is 20-30mg/kg /day in divided doses.
Children up to 20kg: 20mg/kg per day in divided doses. It is
increased only if plasma concentrations are monitored. At
doses above 40mg/kg the clinical chemistry and hematological
parameters should be monitored.
Polytherapy:
The sodium valproate dose should be increased slowly over a
minimum of 2 weeks to the optimum dose, whilst the
pre-existing antiepileptic medication should be decreased
slowly. Because drugs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine and
phenobarbitone increase the metabolism of sodium valproate,
the required dose will be higher by 5-10mg/kg/day. Once
these agents have been inhibited the dose of sodium
valproate can be reduced slightly as long as seizure control
is maintained. Sustained release sodium valproate
formulations are similar with other dosage forms only when
seizure control has been achieved as long as the same total
daily dose is given. |
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