Valparin (Valproic Acid) is an anticonvulsant used to control seizures. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
What is the most important information I should know about Valparin?
* In rare cases, Valparin has caused life-threatening liver failure, especially in children younger than 2 years old. Children of this age may be at even greater risk for liver problems if they use more than one seizure medication, if they have a metabolic disorder, or if they have a brain disease causing mental impairment (such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington disease, multiple sclerosis, or a brain injury or infection).
* Valparin has also caused rare cases of life-threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis can come on suddenly and symptoms may start even after you have been taking Valparin for several years.
* Seek emergency medical attention if the person taking this medicine has nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. Some of these symptoms may also be early signs of pancreatitis.
* Do not use this medication without your doctor"s consent if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
* Do not stop taking the medication even if you feel better. It is important to take Valparin regularly to prevent seizures from recurring. Call your doctor promptly if this medicine does not seem to be working as well in preventing your seizures.
* Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or break a capsule because the medicine may irritate your mouth or throat when you swallow it.
* Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking Valparin, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking Valparin.
* Avoid using other drugs that make you sleepy (such as other seizure medicines, alcohol, cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Valparin.
What are the possible side effects of Valparin?
Seek emergency medical attention if the person taking this medicine has nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. Some of these symptoms may also be early signs of pancreatitis. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
* unexplained weakness with vomiting and confusion or fainting;
* easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
* fever, skin rash, swollen glands;
* fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
* urinating less than usual;
* blood in your urine;
* hallucinations (seeing things that aren"t there);
* weakness, lack of coordination;
* a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;
* extreme drowsiness;
* unusual bleeding or bruising; or
* double vision or back-and-forth movements of the eyes.
