Valproic Acid and Derivatives

(val PROE ik AS id & dah RIV ah tives)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• This drug may cause liver problems. Call your child's doctor if your child has any of these signs: Dark urine, feels tired, is not hungry, has an upset stomach, is throwing up, or has yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• This drug may irritate the pancreas (pancreatitis). This could happen in children at any time during care. Signs of pancreatitis include belly pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or not feeling hungry. Call your child's doctor right away if your child has any of these signs.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to valproic acid or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has liver disease.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to stop or control seizures.
• It is used to treat problems with how one acts.
• It is used to treat manic low mood (depression).

How is this drug given?

• Oral:
• Give as you have been told, even if your child is feeling better.
• Give this drug with food.
• Have your child swallow long-acting products whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• You may sprinkle contents of capsule on applesauce, pudding, or mashed potatoes. Have your child swallow without chewing.
• Have your child swallow capsule whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• There is a liquid (syrup) if your child cannot swallow pills.
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
• Have your child drink lots of noncaffeine liquids every day unless told to drink less liquid by your child's doctor.
• Shot:
• It is given as a shot into a vein.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few days to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Oral:
• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Do not run out of this drug.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Children younger than 2 years of age have more chance of liver disease.
• If your child has been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your child's doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
• Have your child's blood work checked. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Avoid giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child's actions.
• This drug may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, sports) or using items that call for your child to have focus or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects him/her. School work may be hard for your child to focus on and get done.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Feeling dizzy. Have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for him/her to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug works.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Belly pain.
• Hair loss.
• Muscle weakness.
• Twitching.
• Not able to sleep.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows signs of low mood (depression), thoughts of killing him/herself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• If your child has a change in balance.
• If your child's seizures are worse or not the same after starting this drug.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very bad belly pain.
• If your child has any bruising or bleeding.
• If your child is not able to eat.
• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Oral:
• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Shot:
• The shot will be given to your child in a hospital or doctor's office. You will not store it at home.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

All content copyright © 1978-2013 Lexi-Comp Inc. or its respective owners. All Rights Reserved.