Valproate Sodium
It is a broad spectrum anticonvulsant, producing little sedation or other central effects. Sod. valproate is more potent in blocking Pentylenetetrazol seizures then in modifying maximal electroshock. It inhibits the establishment of chronic experimental seizure foci & prevents kindling. Drugs action is by potentiating the inhibitory transmitter GABA-has been shown to prevent degradation and euronal uptake of GABA.Petitmal, alternative/adjuvant drug for grandmal, psychomotor and myoclonic & temporal lobe epilepsies.
Initially 600 mg daily in divided doses, it can be increased by 200 mg daily at 3 days interval untill proper response is achieved.
Liver impairment. Concurrent admin. of clonazepam. Hypersensitivity.
Mental retarded children with epilepsy. Major surgery. Periodic blood count & liver function tests. Pregnancy & women of child bearing potential. May indicate a false positive test for diabetes in urine sample. Paediatrics: Reduce the dose necessarily. Pregnancy: Should not be used. Lactation: Should not be used. Elderly: Reduce the dose necessarily.
Anorexia, vomiting, drowsiness, ataxia, and tremor. Curling & loss of hair, increased blood ammonia, rashes, thrombocytopenia. Weight gain, oedema, fulminant hepatitis.
Blood level increased by aspirin and reduced by carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, phenytoin and primidone. Potentiate CNS depressants including alcohol.
