Atemperator (Valproic Acid)

Active Ingredient: Valproic Acid
Dosage: 250, 500, 750 mg
Route of Administration: Oral
Dosage Form: Tablets
Quantity per package: 30, 60, 90 per pack

Atemperator belongs to a lipophilic, long-acting benzodiazepine. It possesses sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic and skeletal muscle relaxant abilities. Antidepressant qualities are not found in this drug. It is prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia, anxiety or panic attacks. Currently, this product is out of stock. we have another option with the same main component – Generic Valparin.

Indications

It is applied in n adults, as monotherapy or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs in the following cases (treatment/prevention):

• generalized epileptic seizures (clonic, tonic, tonic-clonic, absences, myoclonic, atonic);
• Lennox-Gastaut syndrome;
• partial epileptic seizures (partial seizures with or without secondary generalization);
• bipolar affective disorders.

It is prescribed for children, as monotherapy or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs in the following cases:

• generalized epileptic seizures (clonic, tonic, tonic-clonic, absences, myoclonic, atonic);
• Lennox-Gastaut syndrome;
• partial epileptic seizures (partial seizures with or without secondary generalization).

Dosage and administration

• The dosage regimen is selected individually depending on the age and bodyweight of the patient.
• The initial daily dose for adults and children with a bodyweight of over 25 kg is usually 10-15 mg/kg. Then the dose is gradually increased by 5-10 mg/kg per week until the optimal effect is achieved. The average daily dose of 30 mg/kg of body weight can be increased under the condition to control the drug concentration in blood plasma to 60 mg/kg.
• The dose is calculated in milligrams (1 ml of the drug contains 40 mg of valproic acid). Taken with food.
• The daily dose is recommended to be divided into 2-3 doses.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to valproic acid or to other drug components;
• Acute hepatitis;
• Chronic hepatitis;
• History of liver disease, porphyria;
• Combination with mefloquine;
• Combination with Hypericum perforatum;
• Not recommended for use in combination with lamotrigine.

Take this drug with caution in the following cases:

• inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia);
• organic diseases of the brain;
• a history of liver and pancreas;
• hypoproteinemia;
• mental retardation in children;
• congenital fermentopathy;
• renal failure.

Side effects

• Central nervous system: ataxia; cognitive impairment, dementia syndrome; confusion or convulsions; stupor or lethargy, sometimes leading to a transient coma (encephalopathy); reversible parkinsonism; headache, dizziness, slight postural tremor and drowsiness, changes in behavior, mood or mental state (depression, feeling tired, hallucinations, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, psychosis, unusual excitement, motor anxiety or irritability), dysarthria.
• Digestive system: gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, gastralgia, decreased appetite or increased appetite, diarrhea); impaired liver function; pancreatitis, up to severe lesions with a fatal outcome (in the first 6 months of treatment, more often at 2-12 weeks).
• Hematopoietic organs and hemostasis system: inhibition of bone marrow hematopoiesis (anemia, leukopenia or pancytopenia); thrombocytopenia, decreased fibrinogen and platelet aggregation, leading to the development of hypercoagulation.
• Urinary system: enuresis; cases of reversible Fanconi syndrome (of unclear origin).
• Endocrine system: dysmenorrhea, secondary amenorrhea, breast enlargement, galactorrhea.
• Allergic reactions: skin rash, urticaria, vasculitis; angioedema, photosensitivity, cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme.
• Laboratory indicators: isolated and moderate hyperammonemia without changes in the analysis of liver functions, especially with polytherapy (drug withdrawal is not required); possible hyperammonemia associated with neurological symptoms (further examination is required); an increase in the activity of “liver” transaminases is possible; a decrease in fibrinogen content or an increase in bleeding time; hyponatremia.
• Other: teratogenic risk; diplopia, nystagmus, flickering in front of the eyes, alopecia; reversible or irreversible hearing loss; peripheral edema; weight gain; menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, disorders of the immune system.

Overdose

Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, respiratory failure, muscle hypotension, hyporeflexia, miosis, coma with muscle hypotension, hyporeflexia, myosis, respiratory depression, metabolic acidosis; cases of intracranial hypertension associated with cerebral edema are described.

Treatment: gastric lavage; monitoring the state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and maintaining effective diuresis. In very severe cases, dialysis is performed. As a rule, the prognosis is favorable, but several cases of death have been described.

Interaction

Atemperator enhances the effects of antipsychotic drugs, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants. Unlike other anticonvulsants, Atemperator does not induce liver enzymes, therefore, does not reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

With the combined use of sodium valproate and warfarin, the percentage of binding to the blood plasma proteins decreases.

Valproic Acid alters plasma concentrations of phenytoin and lamotrigine. In combination with anticoagulants and derivatives of acetylsalicylic acid, the antiplatelet effect is enhanced.