About Sodium Valproate + Valproic Acid CR 500 mg Tablet
Sodium Valproate + Valproic Acid CR 500 mg Tablet contains Sodium Valproate 333 mg + Valproic Acid 145 mg (CR). This controlled-release combination of sodium valproate and valproic acid is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. The tablet releases the medicine slowly through the day. It must not be used in pregnancy unless no other treatment is suitable, because it can seriously harm an unborn baby.
Uses of Sodium Valproate + Valproic Acid CR 500 mg Tablet
- Epilepsy — several types of seizures
- Mania in bipolar disorder
Benefits
In epilepsy
Taken regularly, it helps reduce the number of seizures, which can make daily life safer.
In bipolar disorder
It helps calm episodes of mania and keep mood more stable.
Side effects
Do not stop taking it suddenly, as seizures or mood symptoms can return. Your doctor will check blood tests, including liver tests.
Common
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Shaking (tremor)
- Drowsiness
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
Get medical help if you notice
- Loss of appetite, vomiting, unusual tiredness, yellow eyes or skin, swelling, or seizures returning (possible liver damage) — contact your doctor straight away
- Severe stomach pain spreading to the back, with nausea or vomiting (possible pancreatitis) — seek medical help straight away
- Confusion, unusual sleepiness or vomiting (possible high ammonia) — contact your doctor
- Unusual bruising or bleeding — contact your doctor
- Thoughts of harming yourself, or new or worse depression or anxiety — contact your doctor straight away
- Rash with fever and swollen glands, or an allergic reaction — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, at the same time each day. Swallow the controlled-release tablet whole with water; do not crush or chew it. It can be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.
How it works
It increases the level of GABA, a calming chemical in the brain, and steadies the electrical activity of nerve cells. This helps prevent seizures and stabilise mood.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It can increase drowsiness and may make seizures more likely.
Pregnancy Unsafe
It can cause serious birth defects and problems with the child's learning and development. Girls and women who could become pregnant should use it only if other medicines are not suitable, with effective contraception. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, speak to your doctor urgently — do not stop it on your own.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding; the baby may need monitoring.
Driving Caution
It can cause drowsiness. Do not drive until you know how it affects you, and follow the driving rules for people with epilepsy.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; the dose may need adjusting.
Liver Unsafe
It must not be used in people with liver disease, as it can cause serious liver damage.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Do not stop it suddenly — seizures or mood symptoms can return.
- If you could become pregnant, use effective contraception and talk to your doctor before planning a pregnancy.
- Go for blood tests as advised, including liver tests.
- Swallow the tablet whole.
- Tell your family or carer to watch for changes in mood or behaviour.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Branched-chain carboxylic acid (valproate)
- Therapeutic class
- Neurology / neuro-psychiatry
- Action class
- Anticonvulsant and mood stabiliser
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Carbapenem antibiotics (such as meropenem) | Can sharply lower valproate levels and cause seizures |
| Aspirin | Can raise valproate levels and increase the risk of bleeding |
| Lamotrigine | Lamotrigine levels rise, increasing the risk of serious skin rash |
| Topiramate | Higher risk of high ammonia levels |
| Other epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital) | Levels of both medicines may change |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Sodium valproate and valproic acid prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); EMC SmPC: sodium valproate; MHRA/EMA valproate pregnancy prevention programme). Pharmacist review pending.