Valproat Sandoz
Valproat Sandoz is a medication used to treat epilepsy and mania, helping to control seizures and stabilize mood.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
500 mg
Active Ingredient
Sodium valproate
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
The typical daily dose is 20-30 mg of sodium valproate per kg of body weight, divided into two or more doses, preferably with meals.
Method
Take whole or half tablets with a glass of water, do not chew them. If your stomach gets upset, take them with or after food.
Important
The maximum daily dose is determined by your doctor and may vary based on your condition and body weight.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Liver problems, especially serious in children, often within the first six months. You might feel sleepy, and your blood may have too much ammonia, which can make your urine smell like ammonia.
- •Easy bruising or bleeding due to low platelet count, more common in women and older people.
- •Movement problems like stiffness, shaking, or unusual movements of the mouth and tongue.
- •Feeling very drowsy, less responsive, or even briefly losing consciousness. This can sometimes lead to more seizures. These symptoms usually go away if the dose is lowered or treatment is stopped.
- •Uncontrolled shaking, muscle twitches, or unsteady walking.
- •Nausea (feeling sick), usually at the start of treatment and often goes away within a few days. You can prevent it by taking the medicine with food.
- •Anemia, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, general tiredness, and muscle cramps due to low sodium in the blood.
- •Hypersensitivity (allergic reaction).
- •Aggressive behavior, restlessness, difficulty concentrating (mainly in children).
- •Seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations).
- •Dizziness, changes in consciousness (including coma), confusion, seizures, drowsiness, slowness, unusual behavior, and memory problems. Can also include headaches and involuntary eye movements.
- •Hearing loss (temporary or permanent).
- •Bleeding.
- •Upper abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting (usually at the start of treatment and goes away). Persistent vomiting, severe tiredness, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, loss of appetite, intense upper abdominal pain, nausea, yellow skin or eyes, swollen legs, worsening epilepsy, or general malaise can be signs of serious liver or pancreas problems.
- •Swollen or inflamed gums, inflammation of the mouth lining (stomatitis).
- •Hair loss.
- •Nail and nail bed disorders.
- •Irregular periods, menstrual pain.
- •Weight gain.
- •Incontinence (difficulty controlling urination).
RARE
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can be severe and cause nausea, vomiting, and strong upper abdominal pain radiating to the back.
- •Swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulties, and/or itching and rash, often as an allergic reaction (angioedema).
- •Decrease in white blood cells, leading to increased susceptibility to infections (leukopenia).
- •Syndrome where the body retains too much fluid due to excessive antidiuretic hormone secretion; this can lead to low sodium levels in the blood and confusion.
- •Kidney disease (kidney failure, inflammation of kidney tissue), which can cause reduced urine output.
- •Worsening of seizures.
- •Breathing difficulties, chest pain or pressure (especially when inhaling), shortness of breath, and dry cough due to fluid buildup around the lungs.
- •Severe allergic reaction with high fever, red spots, blisters or peeling skin, bleeding from any skin area (including lips, eyelids, mouth, nose, genitals, hands or feet), rash, and flu-like symptoms. These could be Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis.
- •DRESS syndrome (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) with rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and possible organ problems.
- •Severe decrease in white blood cells, low platelets or red blood cells (bone marrow failure), or other bone marrow disorders. May include fever and breathing difficulties.
- •Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which can cause tiredness or weight gain.
- •Autoimmune disease with rash and joint inflammation (systemic lupus erythematosus).
- •Abnormal muscle breakdown, which can lead to kidney problems (rhabdomyolysis).
- •Drowsiness, coma, brain disease with seizures and loss of consciousness (encephalopathy), temporary Parkinson's disease symptoms (muscle tremors, movement disorders, expressionless face), coordination problems (ataxia), e.g., unsteady walking, and tingling or numbness (sensory disturbances).
- •Inflammation of skin blood vessels (cutaneous vasculitis).
- •Hair disorders (such as abnormal texture, color changes, abnormal hair growth).
- •Bone changes, such as decreased bone density (osteopenia and osteoporosis) and bone fractures, have been reported with this medication.
- •Rash.
- •Absent menstruation.
- •Fluid retention in arms and legs (peripheral edema).
- •Low body temperature.
- •Deficiency of coagulation factor VIII, which can slow down bleeding. Blood clotting disorder (detected in blood tests).
- •Disease caused by a disorder in the formation of red blood cell pigment (porphyria).
- •Balance and coordination disorders, lethargy or reduced alertness, and vomiting. Symptoms may be due to high ammonia levels in the blood (hyperammonemia).
- •Obesity.
- •Unusual behavior, restlessness/hyperactivity, learning difficulties (mainly in children).
- •Temporary decline in mental functions, associated with temporary shrinkage of the brain, cognitive impairment.
- •Double vision (diplopia).
- •Rash or skin lesions with a pale center surrounded by a reddish ring. Skin lesions can be itchy or flaky, with fluid-filled blisters. Rash may occur especially on palms or soles. These symptoms can be signs of erythema multiforme.
- •Nighttime bedwetting, kidney problems, frequent urination, and thirst (Fanconi syndrome), kidney inflammation.
- •Male infertility, usually reversible if treatment is stopped or the dose is reduced.
- •Breast enlargement in men (gynecomastia).
- •Excessive white blood cells in the blood (lymphocytosis).
- •Prolonged bleeding due to a blood clotting disorder and/or specific platelet disorder (deficiency of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor).
- •Gastrointestinal disorders (usually temporary and occurring at the start of treatment), constipation, and increased or decreased appetite.
- •Apathy (when other epilepsy medications are given simultaneously).
- •Sedation.
- •Birth defects and developmental disorders in children whose mothers used this medication during pregnancy.
- •Decreased carnitine levels (measured in blood or muscle).
- •Darker areas on skin and mucous membranes (hyperpigmentation).
Important Warnings
- Valproate can severely harm an unborn child if taken during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age must use effective contraception throughout treatment.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you plan to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
- Do not stop taking Valproat Sandoz without your doctor's advice, as your condition may worsen.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you notice severe skin reactions like rashes, blisters, or skin peeling.
- Valproat Sandoz can cause severe liver damage, sometimes fatal. Liver function must be monitored regularly, especially during the first six months.
Show 2 more warnings
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience sudden stomach pain, as it could be a sign of pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
- If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide at any time, 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)