Valproat Life Medical
This medicine helps treat epilepsy by controlling seizures.
Form
injektio-/infuusioneste, liuos
Strength
100 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Sodium valproate
Manufacturer
Life Medical ApS
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose based on your age and weight. It usually starts at 5-10 mg per kg, then slowly increased. For children, the usual dose is 30 mg per kg daily, but can be increased if needed.
Method
This medicine is given by a doctor or nurse as a slow injection into a vein (3-5 minutes) or as a short drip (infusion).
Important
The maximum dose for adults is 2400 mg per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Anemia or low number of blood platelets
- •Changes in blood tests (low sodium, high insulin, low good cholesterol), weight loss
- •Feeling confused, seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), aggression, feeling restless, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite
- •Shaking (tremor), stiff muscles, unwanted movements, feeling drowsy or sleepy, seizures, memory problems, headache, uncontrolled eye movements, dizziness
- •Deafness
- •Bleeding
- •Feeling sick (nausea) or throwing up (vomiting), gum problems, sore mouth, stomach pain, diarrhea (especially at the start of treatment), liver damage
- •Allergic reaction, temporary hair loss, nail problems
- •Changes in periods, weight gain
RARE
- •Problems with blood cells or bone marrow, which can lead to low numbers of red or white blood cells, or problems with blood clotting.
- •Hormone issues like too much male hormone (causing hair growth, acne, baldness), or underactive thyroid.
- •Too much ammonia in the blood, obesity.
- •Changes in behavior, hyperactivity, learning difficulties, trouble sleeping, psychosis, anxiety, or depression.
- •Coma, brain disease, narcolepsy, temporary muscle stiffness, clumsiness, worsening seizures, temporary memory loss with brain shrinkage, double vision, speech problems, or coordination issues.
- •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can sometimes be deadly.
- •Swelling of the skin or mucous membranes (like tongue, eyelids), changes in hair (color, texture), severe skin rashes, peeling skin, or other serious skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
- •Reduced bone density, bone loss, or fractures.
- •Kidney problems, bedwetting, male infertility, or polycystic ovaries (a condition in women).
Important Warnings
- This medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, you must use effective birth control throughout the entire treatment.
- Do not use this medicine if you have or have had severe liver or pancreas problems.
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to sodium valproate or any other ingredient in it.
- Some people taking this medicine have had thoughts of harming themselves. If you have any such thoughts, tell your doctor right away.
- This medicine can sometimes make seizures worse or cause more seizures. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Low serum albumin levels increase the response. Consider potential adverse effects, such as hyponatraemia och hematological changes. Monitor liver function. (updated 10.11.2025)