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Epival
Brand Name: Valproic Acid
What is it?
Epival is in the category of drugs referred to as anticonvulsants. These types of drugs are used to treat epilepsy. It works by stabilizing the electrical activity in the brain. Epival works by preventing excessive electric activity in the brain, and thus reducing the frequency of seizures and individual can have. In some cases, Epival is used to treat individuals with bipolar disorders.
How to take it?
Epival needs to be prescribed by your doctor. It comes in tablet and syrup forms. You should swallow the tablets whole, do not crush them up. If you are taking the syrup form, you can mix it with a liquid or add it to your food for better taste. An individual is recommended initial dose usually is 15mg a day. A doctor will adjust your medication based on your response to the treatment. You should never abruptly stop taking the medication without first checking with your doctor, as this could lead to changes in your condition.
Warnings and Precautions
If you are going to take this medication your doctor needs to know if you have a history of kidney or liver disease, blood, brain or pancreatic disease, diabetes, and skin irritations.
If you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or breast-feeding, you need to inform your doctor. While this medication can be used during pregnancy and after, an individual needs to be monitored closely by her doctor and possible side effects discussed.
There are some drugs that can possibly interact with this medication. If you are taking heparin, tiacarcillin, tricyclic antidepressants, methotrexate, estrogens, barbiturates, aspirin, acetaminophen, anticoagulants, other anticonvulsants, and dantrolene, you need to advise your doctor before taking this medication.
Epival Syrup contains sucrose. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or your family has a history of diabetes, your condition will need to be monitored closely by your doctor. Since taking this medication could lead to a false positive in your diabetes check.
This medication can make you drowsy, so you should avoid driving a car or using machinery while on this medication. You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
This medication also has a tendency to cause an individual to gain weight. You should speak to your doctor regarding this so a plan of diet and exercise could be created before you begin the treatment.
What should you do if you miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take that dose only. Do not take any extra doses.
What are the side effects?
There are many side effects that this medication can cause. Some of these side effects can be severe and some less severe. The common or less severe side effects include: heartburn, indigestion, stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, loss of appetite and diarrhea. They are some side effects that are more severe and require that you seek medication attention, these include: congestion, sore throat, fever, runny nose, swollen glands, voice change, vomiting of blood, yellowing of the skin and eyes, swelling of the hand arms, legs and face, and double vision.
How to store this medication?
This medication should be stored at room temperature, and away from excessive heat and moisture. This medication should not be store in your bathroom as that will expose it to heat and moisture. You should keep the syrup form of this medication in the refrigerator but do not allow it to freeze. This medication should be kept out of the reach of children. You should never use any medication after its expiration date.
What does it look like?
Epival comes in tablet and syrup form. The drug ranges in doses from a small dose to a larger one. The doctor will usually start with lower doses for an individual to begin with and then increase the dosage based on an individual’s response to the medication. The dosage will usually be lower for elderly and older patients taking this medication, as it could increase their chances of having negative reaction to the drug.
What if you overdose?
If you by chance take more than the recommended amount of this drug, and overdose, contact poison control center immediately; along with your doctor.
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