Valproate: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Valproate is an anticonvulsant medicine used mainly to control certain types of seizures in epilepsy. It is given by intravenous injection when oral valproate cannot temporarily be used, and it may be used alone or alongside other anti-seizure medicines. Valproate requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and generic versions have been available since 2002-11-14.

Valproate sodium injection is used as an intravenous alternative when oral valproate products are temporarily not feasible. It is used alone or with other treatment for complex partial seizures and for simple or complex absence seizures. It can also be used alongside other anti-seizure medicines when a person has several seizure types that include absence seizures.

Simple absence seizures involve very brief clouding of awareness or loss of consciousness without other detectable clinical signs. Complex absence seizures include additional signs. This injection is intended for temporary intravenous use, with a switch to oral valproate products when clinically feasible.

The label lists intravenous injection strengths of 100 mg/mL and 500 mg/5 mL. The label lists an initial dose of 10 to 15 mg/kg/day for complex partial seizures in adults and children 10 years of age or older. The label lists an initial dose of 10 to 15 mg/kg/day for simple and complex absence seizures.

The label lists increases of 5 to 10 mg/kg/day at 1 week intervals for these seizure types. The label lists a maximum recommended dose of 60 mg/kg/day. The label lists intravenous use only and a 60 minute infusion, not exceeding 20 mg/min.

The label states that use for periods of more than 14 days has not been studied and that patients should be switched to oral valproate products as soon as clinically feasible. The label lists divided doses when the total daily dose exceeds 250 mg.

Valproate is an anticonvulsant medicine. It helps reduce excessive electrical activity in the brain, which can trigger seizures. Its effects involve increasing the activity of calming chemical signals and reducing some signals that make nerve cells more excitable.

This can help stabilise brain activity across several seizure types. Valproate can also affect how other medicines are processed in the body, so monitoring may be needed when it is used with other treatments. The injection is used when oral valproate cannot temporarily be given, rather than as a routine replacement for oral treatment.

Valproate can cause congenital malformations, particularly neural tube defects such as spina bifida, and may affect IQ and neurodevelopment after exposure during pregnancy. For epilepsy or bipolar disorder, it should not be used during pregnancy or when planning pregnancy unless other medicines have failed or are unacceptable. For migraine prevention, it is contraindicated during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential who are not using effective contraception.

Valproate should not be stopped abruptly in pregnancy because severe seizures may result. Pregnancy and treatment decisions require urgent discussion with a doctor or pharmacist.

Valproate sodium injection is given by healthcare professionals, so a missed dose should be reported promptly to the treating team. The next dose and timing should be decided by the prescriber, based on seizure control and the person’s treatment plan.

Do not stop anti-seizure treatment suddenly, as abrupt withdrawal can precipitate severe seizures or status epilepticus. Do not request an extra dose unless the treating team advises this.

Store vials at 20° to 25°C, with excursions permitted between 15° and 30°C. Protect the product as directed on the label and discard any unused portion. The injection is sterile, nonpyrogenic and preservative-free.