Valproat Sandoz
Valproat Sandoz is a medicine used to treat epilepsy and mania, conditions that affect the brain and mood.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
300 mg
Active Ingredient
Sodium valproate
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will determine your dose. For epilepsy, adults usually take 20-30 mg per kg of body weight daily, and children 30 mg per kg daily. For mania, the usual daily dose ranges from 1000 mg to 2000 mg. Doses are split into two or more times a day.
Method
Take the tablets whole or split, with a glass of water. Do not chew them. If your stomach gets upset, take them with food.
Important
Your doctor will set your maximum daily dose. If you take more than 35 mg per kg of body weight per day, your blood levels may need regular checks.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Liver problems, which can be serious, especially in children, with symptoms like sleepiness and high ammonia levels in the blood.
- •Easy bruising or bleeding due to low platelet count in the blood.
- •Movement disorders, such as uncontrolled shaking (tremor), jerky muscle movements, or unsteady walking.
- •Feeling very sleepy or sluggish, which can include lethargy, temporary unconsciousness, dizziness, confusion, slow thinking, memory problems, headaches, or involuntary eye movements. It may sometimes worsen seizures.
- •Nausea, often at the start of treatment, which usually goes away; taking with food can help.
- •Anemia, with symptoms like low blood pressure, fast heart rate, general tiredness, and muscle cramps (due to low sodium).
- •Allergic reaction.
- •Behavioral changes, such as aggression, restlessness, or difficulty concentrating (more common in children).
- •Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real).
- •Hearing loss (can be temporary or permanent).
- •Bleeding.
- •Stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting, especially at the start of treatment, usually goes away.
- •Swollen or inflamed gums or mouth (stomatitis).
- •Hair loss.
- •Nail and nail bed problems.
- •Irregular or painful periods.
- •Weight gain.
- •Loss of bladder control (incontinence).
RARE
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), causing severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- •Severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulties, itching, or rash (angioedema).
- •Low white blood cell count (leukopenia), leading to more infections.
- •Fluid imbalance: too much fluid in the body, causing low sodium levels and confusion.
- •Kidney disease, such as kidney failure or inflammation, with less urine production.
- •Worsening of seizures.
- •Breathing problems, including chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, and a dry cough (due to fluid around the lungs).
- •Decrease in all blood cell types (pancytopenia).
- •Increased male hormone levels, causing excessive body/facial hair (hirsutism), male traits in women (virilism), acne, or hair loss.
- •Brain disease with seizures and loss of consciousness (encephalopathy), temporary Parkinson's disease symptoms, poor coordination, tingling or numbness.
- •Inflammation of skin blood vessels (cutaneous vasculitis).
- •Hair disorders, such as abnormal structure, color, or growth.
- •Bone changes, including decreased bone density, osteoporosis, or fractures.
- •Rash.
- •Absent menstruation.
- •Fluid accumulation in arms and legs (peripheral edema).
- •Low body temperature.
- •Blood clotting problems, such as factor VIII deficiency, causing prolonged bleeding.
- •Blood pigment disorder called porphyria.
- •High ammonia levels in blood, causing balance or coordination issues, lethargy, or vomiting.
- •Obesity.
- •Unusual behavior or learning difficulties, including restlessness or hyperactivity (mainly in children).
- •Temporary decline in mental functions, with temporary brain shrinkage and cognitive problems.
- •Double vision.
- •Skin lesions with light centers and reddish rings, which can be itchy, flaky, or blistered (like erythema multiforme).
- •Bedwetting or kidney problems, such as frequent urination, thirst (Fanconi syndrome), or kidney inflammation.
- •Male infertility, which usually improves if the medicine is stopped or dose is lowered.
- •Breast enlargement in men (gynecomastia).
- •Excessive white blood cells in the blood (lymphocytosis).
- •Gastrointestinal disorders, usually mild and at the start of treatment, includes constipation, and increased or decreased appetite.
- •Apathy, when taken with other epilepsy medicines.
- •Sedation (feeling calm or sleepy from medication).
- •Birth defects and developmental problems in children whose mothers used this medicine during pregnancy.
- •Low carnitine levels.
- •Darker skin or mucous areas (hyperpigmentation).
Important Warnings
- Valproate can severely harm an unborn child. If you can get pregnant, you must use effective birth control throughout treatment. Contact your doctor immediately if you plan to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
- Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice, as your condition could worsen.
- Contact your doctor right away if you get severe skin reactions like rashes, peeling skin, blisters, or mouth sores.
- This medicine can cause severe liver damage. Your liver function will be checked with blood tests before and during the first six months of treatment, especially if you have existing liver or metabolic problems.
- Do not give aspirin-containing medicines to children under 3 years old who are taking Valproat Sandoz, as it increases the risk of liver damage.
Show 2 more warnings
- Seek medical help immediately if you get sudden stomach pain; this could be pancreatitis, which can be serious.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, 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)