Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: VALPROIC ACID (val-PROE-ik AS-id)
This medicine is an anticonvulsant used to treat certain seizure disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL LIVER PROBLEMS have occurred with the use of this medicine. The risk is greater in children younger than 2 years old, especially those who have metabolic disorders, seizure disorders with mental retardation, brain disease, or who take multiple seizure medicines. When liver problems have occurred, it usually has been during the first 6 months of treatment. Contact your doctor right away if symptoms of liver problems occur (eg, dark urine, general feeling of being unwell, loss of appetite, sluggishness, swelling of the face, vomiting, weakness, yellowing of the skin or eyes). Patients with seizure disorders may also experience worsening of seizures. Contact your doctor right away if this occurs. Liver function tests should be performed before you start this medicine and during treatment. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE SEVERE BIRTH DEFECTS if you take it while you are pregnant. Women who are able to become pregnant should discuss with their doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. Contact your doctor right away if you think you may be pregnant. An extra patient leaflet about this risk is available with this medicine. Read it carefully. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this information. SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL PANCREAS PROBLEMS have occurred with the use of this medicine. These problems have occurred soon after starting this medicine, as well as after several years of treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you develop loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking clonazepam, topiramate, felbamate, salicylates (eg, aspirin), carbamazepine, carbapenem antibiotics (eg, imipenem), hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills), hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), mefloquine, rifampin, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), ethosuximide, lamotrigine, primidone, tolbutamide, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), or zidovudine. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of liver problems; cancer; blood or bleeding problems (eg, low blood platelet levels); HIV infection; cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection; kidney problems; pancreas problems; low blood albumin levels; high blood glycine levels, allergies, including allergies to peanuts; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of metabolic problems; brain disease; coma; high blood ammonia or glutamine levels; mental retardation; recurring vomiting and sluggishness; or recurring extreme excitability. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental or mood problems; suicidal thoughts or actions; or alcohol abuse or dependence. Tell your doctor if you have decreased food or fluid intake; or you are scheduled for surgery. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of urea cycle disorders or unexplained infant deaths. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have liver problems or a urea cycle disorder. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. An extra patient leaflet is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. Take this medicine by mouth with or without food. THIS MEDICINE MAY BE TAKEN WITH FOOD if it upsets your stomach. SWALLOW THIS MEDICINE WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. STORE THIS MEDICINE between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. This medicine works best if it is taken at the same time each day. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE; this may cause an increased risk of severe seizures. If you need to stop this medicine or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose. Lab tests may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. THIS MEDICINE MAY INTERFERE WITH CERTAIN LAB TESTS. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, DROWSINESS, OR VISION CHANGES. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU DRINK ALCOHOL or use medicines that may cause drowsiness while you are using this medicine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. PATIENTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. Watch patients who take this medicine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. THIS MEDICINE MAY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BLOOD CELLS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR CLOTTING. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations where bruising or injury may occur. Some brands of this medicine contain peanut oil. IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS, ask your pharmacist if your brand contains peanut oil. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. USE THIS MEDICINE WITH CAUTION IN THE ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially drowsiness. THIS MEDICINE SHOULD BE USED WITH EXTREME CAUTION IN CHILDREN, especially children younger than 2 years old; they may be at increased risk of serious and sometimes fatal liver problems. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM TO THE FETUS. IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while you are taking this medicine. DIABETES PATIENTS: This medicine may cause the results of some tests for urine ketones to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; increased or decreased appetite; mild hair loss; nausea; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; or weight gain. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience abnormal thinking; behavior changes; blurred vision or other vision changes; change in menstrual period; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark, tarry, or bloody stools; dark urine; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; general feeling of being unwell; hallucinations; hearing loss; joint or muscle pain or weakness; loss of coordination; memory loss; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, depression, exaggerated feeling of well-being, hostility, impulsiveness, inability to sit still, irritability, panic attacks, restlessness); new or worsening seizures; pale stools; red, swollen, or blistered skin; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite; severe or persistent stomach pain or cramps; shortness of breath; sluggishness; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the arms or legs; swollen lymph nodes; tremor; trouble speaking or walking; uncontrolled muscle movements; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSUPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; or severe drowsiness.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
view shopping bag (0) items $.00
e-mail a friend about this prescription product
