English 
简体中文 Valproate Sodium (VPA)
1) The main possible mechanism: increase the content of GABA in the brain.
2) Therapeutic indications: a broad-spectrum anti-epileptic drug (applicable to all types of seizures, especially generalized seizures, relatively weak to focal seizures).
3) Warning: children with blood disorders, liver disorders, mitochondrial disorders (e.g., patients with Alpers syndrome are contraindicated because it can cause acute liver failure), urea cycle disorders and some metabolic diseases such as organic acidemias should avoid using it as far as possible. It is best to check routine blood test, liver function, blood ammonia and metabolic disease screening before using the drug. In addition, it is not particularly suitable for obese and adolescent women.
4) Dosage for children: Click to view the dosage for children of different ages and weights.
5) Major adverse reactions in children: hepatotoxicity (relatively common, especially in children under 2 years old, usually occurs within the first 6 months of treatment). In addition, thrombocytopenia, acute pancreatitis (rare), valproate encephalopathy, tremor, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and other non-specific manifestations related to dose. Furthermore, sodium valproate is prone to gain weight after long-term use, which has a certain impact on the endocrine system. Obese people, especially adolescent women, use it with caution.
6) Interaction with other anti-epileptic drugs: combined with lamotrigine (valproate has an inhibitory effect on the metabolism of lamotrigine and can prolong its half-life by 2-3 times. Therefore, when the two drugs are used in combination, the dose of lamotrigine is generally halved). In addition, the combined use of the two drugs will increase the risk of allergic rash, but the treatment effect will also increase. When treatment of intractable epilepsy, the combination of the two drugs can be considered, but close attention should be paid to adverse reactions such as allergic rash.
7) Interaction with non-anti-epileptic drugs: avoid combined use with carbapenem drugs. Carbapenem drugs can quickly reduce the concentration of valproate sodium (the concentration of valproate sodium can be reduced by 60-100% in 2 days).