Generic Name valproic acid Brand Name: Depakote

Dosage/ Frequency 25-mg capsule

Classification Antiepileptic

Indication

Contraindication

Adverse Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Sole and

adjunctive therapy in simple (petit mal) and complex absence seizures; acute treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder; prophylaxis of migraine headaches; adjunctive therapy for multiple seizure disorders

Contraindicated

with hypersensitivity to valproic acid, hepatic disease, or significant hepatic impairment.

CNS: sedation,

tremor, emotional upset, depression, psychosis, aggression, hyperactivity, behavioural deterioration, weakness

Give drug with food to prevent GI upset Monitor ammonia levels and discontinue if there is clinically significant elevation in level. Monitor serum levels of valproic acid and other antiepileptics given concomitantly, especially during the first few weeks of therapy.

Use cautiously

with children younger than 18mo; children younger than 2yr; especially with multiple antiepileptics, congenital metabolic disorders, severe seizures accompanied by severe mental retardation, organic brain disorders; pregnancy; lactation

Dermatologic:

Transient increases in hair loss, rash, petechiae

GI: nausea,

vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, constipation, anorexia with weight loss, increased appetite with weight gain, life-threatening pancreatitis, hepatic failure

GU: irregular

menses, secondary

amenorrhea

Hematologic:

Slight elevations in AST, ALT, LDH; increases in serum bilirubin; abnormal changes in other LFTs; altered bleeding time; thrombocytopenia; bruising; hematoma formation; frank haemorrhage; relative lymphocytosis; leukopenia; eosinophilia; anemia; bone marrow suppression