What is Episenta used for?

Episenta contains the active substance sodium valproate, which belongs to a group of medicines called antiepileptics which are used to control epileptic seizures and mania. mania, where you may feel very excited, elated, agitated, enthusiastic or hyperactive. Mania occurs in an illness called “bipolar disorder”.

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What is sodium valproate tablets used for?

Sodium valproate is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It’s occasionally used to prevent migraine headaches. This medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules, tablets and a liquid that you swallow.

How do you take Episenta sachets?

Episenta granules should be swallowed without chewing with plenty of liquid, e.g. a full glass of water. Tear open the sachet and sprinkle or stir the contents into soft food or a drink and swallow immediately without chewing or crushing the granules.

What does sodium valproate do to the brain?

Sodium valproate prevents epileptic fits by stabilising excessive electrical activity in the brain. It is thought to achieve this in two ways: by increasing the activity of a natural ‘nerve-calming’ agent called GABA in the brain, and by preventing electrical signals from building up in nerve cells in the brain.

What are prolonged release tablets?

(Pharmaceutical: Administration) A prolonged-release drug delivers a dose of a medication over an extended period of time. In prolonged-release forms, the drug can be administered and is effective over a long period. Prolonged-release drugs release the active ingredients slowly and work for a longer time.

Is sodium valproate good for depression?

The authors concluded that valproate was effective for reducing depressive symptoms in acute bipolar depression and was well-tolerated.

How long do prolonged release tablets take to work?

When the medication is swallowed, it begins working to relieve pain in about 2 to 4 hours, although it reaches its peak effect in 15 to 30 hours. It will continue to work for a few days. This type of medication is designed to produce a long-acting, steady amount of pain relief.

What is the benefits of extended-release tablets?

Extended-release formulations have many advantages compared with IR formulations, including simplification of dosing regimens, reduction in pill burden, and reduction in the peak-to-trough fluctuations in serum drug concentration that may be associated with a decreased risk of adverse effects and of seizures.

Does sodium valproate cause weight gain?

Sodium valproate (VPA) and lamotrigine (LTG) are the broad- spectrum anticonvulsants drugs used in both generalized and partial seizures. Weight gain is a well-known adverse effect of VPA treatment occurring in up to 71% of exposed patients, although typically the rate is around 10% [1].

What is the problem with valproate?

Research has shown that sodium valproate can cause serious problems in a developing baby. Of babies whose mothers take sodium valproate during pregnancy, up to 1 in 10 (10%) are at risk of having a birth defect, and up to 4 in 10 children (up to 40%) have problems with development and learning as they grow.

Does sodium valproate make you gain weight?

Significant weight gain occurred in valproate-treated patients by the 10th week of treatment; weight continued to increase throughout the study. After 32 weeks of treatment, mean weight gain was significantly higher in valproate-treated (12.8 9.3 lb) than lamotrigine-treated (1.3 11.9 lb) patients.

What is episenta used for?

How many capsules are in a 300 mg episenta?

Episenta 300 mg capsules are green/transparent hard gelatine capsules containing white granules. Each pack contains 30, 50, 100 or 200 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. This leaflet was last revised in 12/2021.

How does episenta ® affect phenytoin?

Episenta ® decreases phenytoin total plasma concentration and increases the free form of phenytoin leading to possible overdosage symptoms. Therefore, clinical monitoring is recommended with the free form of phenytoin being measured,when phenytoin plasma levels are determined.

Does episenta ® reduce the efficacy of oestrogenic contraceptives?

Episenta ® usually has no enzyme-inducing effect; as a consequence, Episenta ® does not reduce efficacy of oestroprogestative agents in women receiving hormonal contraception, including the oral contraceptive pill. Caution is advised when using Episenta ® in combination with newer antiepileptics whose pharmacodynamics may not be well established.