Sodium Valproate (Epilim)

sherlock holmes · 21-07-2014, 06:15 PM

Quick question really as I was on this medication about a year I think, and been off it a year now, and totally forgotten what it was like really.

I know I didn't get any awful side effects, but can anyone tell me if it helped their anxiety as well as mood swings?

Also if anyone's taken the granules that you mix with water I'd be interested in what that's like. I've been prescribed the liquid, and I took the syrup last time, so I'm hoping it's not too different.

I think I've been prescribed 200mg twice a day which my psych said was a child's dose that is increased slowly, does that sound right? (My psych was not my usual and I didn't really trust him and he was quite strange).

Snow White. · 22-07-2014, 11:14 AM

I'm not sure I'm afraid as I don't remember but I wanted to wish you all the best :)

sherlock holmes · 22-07-2014, 06:03 PM

I can't remember what time of day to take it. It just says twice a day on the bottle.

On the leaflet it just says morning and evening after food. So does that mean dinner time or night time with food?

It'd be easier for me to take it at dinner time as I will be eating a meal. But I don't want it to knock me out that early!

Serendipity. · 22-07-2014, 06:24 PM

I don't know the answer, but just wanted to say, either call and ask your doctor or it may be worth popping into a chemist and asking the pharmacist. I usually find them more helpful with medication queries ;)

p.s. I really hope you find it helpful.

sherlock holmes · 22-07-2014, 09:37 PM

Thanks :)

I left it too late to ask the pharmacist so I asked a friend on FB who's a GP and she said to try taking it 8am and 8pm with food so that's what I've done tonight :)

Do feel fairly sleepy but not overly so.

Aubergine · 22-07-2014, 10:21 PM

Hey.

I take semi-sodium valproate (Depakote), which is similar to sodium vaproate. I take 500mg twice a day, which I'm told is an average dose.

I take one dose around 8am with breakfast, and one dose about 10pm with my night meds and a biscuit. I took it at simiar times when I was first put on it, and I was in hospital at the time, so I think it's OK to take it like that.

As for efficiacy, I think it's worked OK for me. I was put on it for agitated depression and it killed that pretty quickly. I notice that I'm a lot more jittery if I miss a few doses, so it does do something.

I really hope it helps you.

sherlock holmes · 23-07-2014, 08:46 AM

Thanks! I'm starting on a childs dose, and if there's no problems it'll be increased in a few weeks.

I took it last night, and then this morning, and so far feeling good.

Wonderland. · 23-07-2014, 10:16 AM

I hope it helps you :)

Ballerina123 · 23-07-2014, 01:50 PM

I was on 2000mg of sodium valporate and I had no side effects from it. I didn't find in particularly helpful for my mood however it did help a bit.
My friend is on 2000mg also and she experiences some hair loss but it is growing back now.

I hope you find it helpful.

Steel Maiden · 30-07-2014, 10:05 PM

Sodium Valproate is generally well tolerated. Side-effects can include tiredness (although different sources say different things about this one), weight gain, hair loss and nausea. I think it can also cause a tremor. Have they said anything about six monthly blood tests? There are other side-effects but without researching I forget what they are. Oh and don't get pregnant on this drug - neural tube defects in the baby are a risk.

sherlock holmes · 31-07-2014, 09:12 AM

No-one has mentioned blood tests, though I will ask about it.

I may have developed hives, though it's confusing because it's not very consistent when they appear and I think it's probably linked with heat. I spoke about it with my GP and he said it could be a side effect, but it wasn't anything to worry about at this stage.

Otherwise I'm tolerating it well, though I am on the lowest dose right now.

talaiporia · 02-08-2014, 02:36 AM

I hope it helps, and you the hives go away. :)