Uses of Valproic Acid Liquid:

• 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 Valproic Acid Liquid?

• If you are allergic to valproic acid liquid; any part of valproic acid liquid; 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 valproic acid liquid.

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 valproic acid liquid 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 Valproic Acid Liquid?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take valproic acid liquid. 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 valproic acid liquid 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 valproic acid liquid.
• 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 valproic acid liquid. 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 valproic acid liquid 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 valproic acid liquid 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 valproic acid liquid is in your body. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of your other drugs may interact with valproic acid liquid.
• If you are 65 or older, use valproic acid liquid 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 (Valproic Acid Liquid) best taken?

Use valproic acid liquid as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Keep taking valproic acid liquid as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Do not stop taking valproic acid liquid all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of seizures. If you need to stop this drug, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• If you take cholestyramine, you may need to take it at some other time than valproic acid liquid. Talk with your pharmacist.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with valproic acid liquid. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure valproic acid liquid.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

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 valproic acid liquid.
• Not able to control eye movements.
• Ringing in ears.
• Feeling cold.

What are some other side effects of Valproic Acid Liquid?

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 Valproic Acid Liquid?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• 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.

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.
• 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.