Sodium valproate
Also sold as: Epilim, Depakine
Prescription neededEpilepsy and nerve pain
Comes as:TabletSyrupInjection
Also sold as: Epilim, Depakine
Usual adult dose: start with 300 mg twice a day; the doctor raises it slowly, usually to 1 g to 2 g a day. Women and girls who could become pregnant must not take it unless the doctor says there is no other choice and they use reliable contraception.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
Medicines that can react with this one.
Valproate doubles lamotrigine levels and raises the risk of serious rash; the lamotrigine dose must be lowered.
Meropenem sharply lowers valproate levels and can cause seizures.
Aspirin raises free valproate levels and the risk of bleeding.
Carbamazepine lowers valproate levels; levels should be checked.
Valproate raises lorazepam levels; a lower lorazepam dose may be needed.
Mefloquine can lower valproate levels and the seizure threshold.
Valproate raises phenobarbital levels and drowsiness.