Uses of Valproate Injection:

• It is used to treat seizures.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Valproate Injection?

• If you are allergic to valproate injection; any part of valproate injection; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Liver disease or a urea cycle disorder.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with valproate injection.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take valproate injection with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Valproate Injection?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take valproate injection. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how valproate injection affects you.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take valproate injection.
• If you are not able to eat or drink like normal, talk with your doctor. This includes if you are sick, fasting, or you are having certain procedures or surgery.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• High blood levels of ammonia have happened with valproate injection. This can lead to certain brain problems. In some people, this has been deadly. Talk with the doctor.
• Some people have had certain brain problems without high blood levels of ammonia. Sometimes, these brain problems have gone back to normal after valproate injection was stopped. However, sometimes they have not fully gone back to normal. Talk with the doctor.
• A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• Patients who take valproate injection may be at a greater risk of having thoughts or actions of suicide. The risk may be greater in people who have had these thoughts or actions in the past. Call the doctor right away if signs like low mood (depression), nervousness, restlessness, grouchiness, panic attacks, or changes in mood or actions are new or worse. Call the doctor right away if any thoughts or actions of suicide occur.
• Some other drugs may affect how much of valproate injection is in your body. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of your other drugs may interact with valproate injection.
• If you are 65 or older, use valproate injection with care. You could have more side effects.
• Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Valproate Injection) best taken?

Use valproate injection as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of high ammonia levels like a heartbeat that does not feel normal, breathing that is not normal, feeling confused, pale skin, slow heartbeat, seizures, sweating, throwing up, or twitching.
• Chest pain.
• Swelling in the arms or legs.
• Change in eyesight.
• Memory problems or loss.
• Change in balance.
• Trouble walking.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Purple spots or redness of the skin.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Swollen gland.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Joint pain or swelling.
• Shakiness.
• If seizures are worse or not the same after starting valproate injection.
• Not able to control eye movements.
• Ringing in ears.
• Feeling cold.

What are some other side effects of Valproate Injection?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or feeling less hungry.
• More hungry.
• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Weight gain or loss.
• Hair loss.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Flu-like signs.

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.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Valproate Injection?

• If you need to store valproate injection at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about valproate injection, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.