NCLEX Examination.
Practice Question # 854.
nclex examination
Valproic Acid:
Valproic acid is prescribed for long-term treatment of:
- Absence seizures
- Myoclonic seizures
- Tonic-clonic seizures
- Partial seizures.
Valproic acid may also be useful for neonatal seizures. However, it must be used cautiously in children younger than age 2, particularly those receiving multiple anticonvulsants, those with congenital metabolic disorders or hepatic disease, those with severe seizures and mental retardation, and those with organic brain disease.
For these patients, the drug carries a risk of potentially fatal liver toxicity (usually within the first 6 months of treatment). This risk limits the use of valproic acid as a drug of choice for seizure disorders.
Adverse reactions of Valproic acid:
Rare, but deadly, liver toxicity has occurred with valproic acid use. The drug should be used with caution in the patient who has a history of liver disease. Pediatric patients younger than age 2 are at considerable risk for developing hepatotoxicity. Most other adverse reactions to valproic acid are tolerable and dose- related. These include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Ataxia
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
- increased blood ammonia level.
