Sodium Valproate

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Sodium Valproate


Indications

  • Effective in all forms of Epilepsy, especially absence seizures

Mechanism of action and pharmacology

  • Uncertain
  • Weak effect on GABA transaminase and on sodium channels
  • 600mg per day

Adverse effects

  • Generally less than other drugs
  • liver toxicity
    • especially under 3 years old
    • usually involving multiple therapy
    • hyperammonaemia
  • blood disorders
    • thrombocytopenia
    • inhibition of platelet aggregation
    • leucopenia
    • pancytopenia
    • red cell hypoplasia
    • fibrinogen reduction
  • pancreatitis
  • gastric irritation
    • nausea
  • Neurological
    • ataxia
    • tremor
    • sedation
    • increased alertness / aggressiveness / hyperactivity /behavioural disturbance
    • extrapyramidal symptoms
    • dementia
    • hearing loss
  • Metabolic
    • increased appetite / weight gain
  • Hormonal
    • transient hair loss
    • irregular periods
    • amenorrhoea
    • gynaecomastia
    • hirsutism
    • acne
  • oedema
  • Fanconi's syndrome
  • Dermatological
  • Teratogenic
    • neural tube defects
 

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