Sole or adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial & absence seizures.
Dosage/Direction for Use
Initially 15 mg/kg/day, increasing at 1-wk interval by 5-10 mg/kg/day, until seizures are controlled or side effects preclude further increases. Max: 60 mg/kg/day. Dose >250 mg/day should be given in divided doses.
Administration
Should be taken with food: Take w/ meals to avoid GI irritation.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity. Known urea cycle disorders, hepatic disease, hepatic dysfunction.
Special Precautions
Prior history of hepatic disease, patients on multiple anticonvulsants, childn w/ congenital metabolic disorders or severe seizures accompanied by mental retardation, organic brain disease. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Pregnancy. Childn <2 yr.
Adverse Reactions
Constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, increased or decreased appetite, mild hair loss, nausea, sore throat, stomach pain or upset, trouble sleeping, vomiting, wt gain, indigestion, abdominal cramps.
Phenytoin, carbamazepine & phenobarb (or primidone) can double the clearance of valproate. Aspirin, felbamate, meropenem, rifampin. Valproic acid & clonazepam may induce absence status in patients w/ a history of absence type seizures. Valproate displaces diazepam from its plasma albumin binding sites & inhibits its metabolism. Metabolism of ethosuximide is inhibited by valproate. Elimination t½ of lamotrigine increased from 26 to 70 hr w/ valproate co-administration. Concomitant administration of valproate & lorazepam was accompanied decrease in plasma clearance of lorazepam.
Sign Out
