Why is the medicine “Valparin" necessary? Instructions for use, synonyms and indications for this medication are described in this article.
Form and composition
What form is inherent in the medicine "Valparin"? Tablets - it is in this form that the drug in question can be purchased at the pharmacy. They have a prolonged action, a biconvex round shape, as well as a white shell.
What is included in the medicine "Valparin"? The manual states that this product contains valproic acid and sodium valproate. It also includes the following excipients: glycerin, colloidal silicon dioxide, Eudragit E-100, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol 1500, ethyl cellulose, sodium saccharin, silicon dioxide hydrate, Eudragit HE-30D, titanium dioxide and talc.
The tablets in question can be purchased in strips of 10 pieces and in a cardboard bundle, respectively.
Pharmacological action
How does the drug "Valparin"? Instructions for use (the composition of the drug was described above) claims that it is an anticonvulsant drug. It contains sodium valproate, which increases the content of GABA in the brain, which contributes to its increase in postsynaptic neurons.
It should also be noted that the component under consideration affects the transport of potassium ions through the membranes of neurons. This process inhibits the development and spread of epileptic excitation along nerve fibers.
It should also be said that sodium valproate has an anticonvulsant effect in various types of epilepsy.
The drug "Valparin" does not have sedative and hypnotic effects, and also does not act depressingly on the center of respiration. In addition, its active substance does not adversely affect heart rate, the patient’s body temperature, blood pressure and kidney function.
Kinetic properties of the drug
What are the pharmacokinetic features of the drug "Valparin"? The instruction states that after taking the tablets inside, the controlled release of their active substance begins immediately, and after 2-8 hours reaches the maximum level in plasma.
The bioavailability of the agent in question is 100%.
The therapeutic effect of the drug appears only after reaching a concentration of valproic acid in the blood, equal to 45-100 mg / l. It should be noted that the therapeutic and pharmacological actions of this agent with controlled release of the main component do not always depend on its plasma concentration.
The relationship of the medication in question with plasma proteins is about 85-90%. It is metabolized in the liver, and excreted in the urine. In this case, a presystemic metabolism is not observed.
The half-life of this drug is about 9-20 hours. In children, this period is reduced.
Indications for admission
Under what conditions is the drug “Valparin” most effective? Instructions for use, reviews of experienced specialists report that the medication mentioned is made specifically for the treatment of generalized epilepsy, including with the following types of seizures:
- myoclonic;
- absences;
- atonic;
- tonic-clonic.
Also, this drug is prescribed for partial epilepsy, and more specifically, for:
- secondary generalized seizures;
- combined or simple seizures.
In addition, the tablets in question are often used for the appearance of specific syndromes (Lennox-Gastaut, Vesta).
Prohibitions on the use of tablets
Does the drug "Valparin" have contraindications? According to the instructions, this tool has many prohibitions on the use of:
- pregnancy period;
- severe pancreatic abnormalities;
- thrombocytopenia;
- acute or chronic hepatitis;
- porphyria;
- cases of active hepatitis (drug origin);
- breastfeeding time;
- children under three years old;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, including valproic acid.
Anticonvulsant Valparin: instructions for use
The dosage of this drug is selected individually, depending on body weight and age of the patient.
As a rule, for adults, the initial dose of the drug is 600 mg per day. Subsequently, this amount is increased by 200 mg (every three days, until the desired result is achieved).
The frequency of taking the drug in question is 1-2 times a day. The maximum recommended dosage is 1-2 g per day.
Valparin tablets, the instructions for use of which are discussed in this article, must be swallowed in its entirety, washed down with a small amount of warm water.
In older people, the dosage regimen of this drug is similar to the dosage regimen in adult patients, but it is selected individually.
For babies with a body weight of 20 kg or more, the initial dosage of the drug is 400 mg per day. This amount must be increased gradually until the desired result is achieved (about 20-30 mg / kg per day, in 1-2 doses).
A child with a body weight of up to 20 kg should not be prescribed anticonvulsant medicine.
Side effects
What adverse reactions do Valparin tablets cause? Instructions for use inform that against the background of taking this medication in sick people, undesirable effects may occur:
- Allergic reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, skin rash, erythema multiforme, itching of the skin, photosensitivity.
- Digestive system: nausea, hepatitis, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, pancreatitis.
- Reproductive system: secondary amenorrhea, menstrual irregularities.
- CNS: coma, tremor, ataxia, impaired consciousness.
- Hematopoietic system: anemia, inhibition of platelet aggregation, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, decreased fibrinogen content.
- Others: weight gain, hair loss, creatininemia, hyperammonemia.
Anticonvulsant overdose
What symptoms may occur when taking high doses of Valparin? Instructions for use (tablets can be purchased at any pharmacy by prescription) states that to date, deliberate or accidental overdose of the drug in question has been reported extremely rarely. As a rule, violation of the dosage regimen of this medicine contributes to the appearance of nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory depression, coma and hyporeflexia.
To eliminate such conditions, the patient is prescribed gastric lavage and activated charcoal. If necessary, then inpatient treatment is carried out in the form of symptomatic therapy and hemodialysis.
Interaction with other medicines
Does Valparin medication interact with other drugs? Instructions for use inform patients that sodium valproate is able to enhance the action of antipsychotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsants.
Unlike other anticonvulsants, the medication in question does not contribute to the induction of hepatic enzymes, and therefore it does not reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
With a parallel intake of Warfarin and sodium valproate, the percentage of binding to the plasma proteins of the first decreases.
The active substance of the drug in question is capable of changing plasma concentrations of lamotrigine and phenytoin. When combined with acetylsalicylic acid derivatives and anticoagulants, the antiplatelet effect is enhanced.
With the simultaneous use of “Valparin” with ethanol, as well as other drugs that inhibit the central nervous system (for example, MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs), increased central nervous system depression is possible.
Alcohol and other hepatotoxic drugs increase the risk of liver damage.
The drug in question increases the half-life of Lamotrigine, and also causes a slowdown in its metabolism and suppresses liver enzymes. In this regard, the half-life of the drug can increase up to 70 hours in adult patients and up to 45 hours in children.
"Valparin" is able to reduce the clearance of "Zidovudine" by about 40%. At the same time, its half-life does not change in any way.
MAO inhibitors, antidepressants tricyclic and antipsychotic drugs (antipsychotics), as well as other drugs that lower the threshold of convulsive readiness, significantly reduce the effectiveness of the medication in question.
Breastfeeding and Pregnancy
According to experts, the appointment of the drug "Valparin" during the bearing of the fetus is possible only if the intended benefits for the expectant mother significantly exceeds the possible risk for the baby.
When taking medication during pregnancy, it is imperative to conduct specialized prenatal monitoring of the fetus.
The use of the drug during lactation is not recommended.
Special information
Before you begin treatment with the drug in question, you should definitely consult a doctor.
In the process of taking an anticonvulsant drug, regular monitoring of bilirubin in the blood, amylase and platelets, as well as the activity of hepatic transaminases (every 3 months) is necessary.
According to experts, valproic acid is able to inhibit platelet aggregation. This significantly increases the risk of increased blood coagulation time with bleeding. It is necessary to take into account the likely development of complications that are associated with postoperative bleeding in people receiving valproate sodium.
With prolonged use of this medication, patients may develop spontaneous bleeding and hematomas form. In this case, taking the tablets should be stopped immediately.
As mentioned above, sodium valproate often causes drug pancreatitis, and also contributes to impaired liver function (usually in the first 6 months of treatment). In this regard, at the very beginning of therapy, it is necessary to monitor the state of the pancreas gland of the patient, as well as regularly conduct liver tests and monitor the level of prothrombin.
Impaired liver function and liver failure while taking valproate sodium can be observed in children with epilepsy, with metabolic and degenerative diseases, delayed mental development and organic pathology of brain tissue.
When observing signs such as a lethargic condition, severe weakness, swelling, jaundice and vomiting, you must immediately stop using the medication.
When treating with Valparin, the patient should be especially careful when working with dangerous mechanisms. This is due to the fact that this medication is able to reduce the concentration of attention.
Terms and conditions of storage
Valparin anticonvulsant tablets are dispensed in pharmacies only by medical prescription. They should be stored in a place inaccessible to children and protected from moisture, and also at a temperature of not more than 30 degrees.
The shelf life of the drug in question is three years (from the date of manufacture).
Medication "Valparin": analogues, synonyms
What can replace the drug in question? There are a large number of synonyms and analogues for this tool. The following medicines can be attributed to them: Apilepsin, Depakin, Aceipiprol, Depakin Enterik, Depakin Chronosphere, Depakin Chrono, Dipromal, Convulsofin, Konvuleks, Orfiril, "Encorat", "Everiden", "Encorat Chrono."
As in the case of Valparin, these funds should be taken only as directed by the doctor, in strictly recommended dosages.
Opinion of consumers and specialists
What do doctors say about a medicine like Valparin? Reviews of experts indicate that this drug is very effective and effective, especially with generalized and partial epilepsy.
As for consumers, most of them agree with the opinion of doctors. Patients claim that taking this drug helps to quickly suppress the development and spread of excitation (epileptic) through neurons. However, it should be noted that the use of this medication often causes side effects. According to consumer reviews, the most common adverse reactions are: skin allergies, nausea, anemia, and weight gain. If such symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately.