Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Valproic Acid as follows:
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Valproic Acid use can result in motor incoordination, unusual eye movements, blurred vision, and can increase fall risk and accidents. Confusion and dizziness with Valproic Acid use, can add to the motor incoordination, thus enhancing the fall risk significantly.
- Valproic Acid intake also carries the risk of causing or aggravating some varieties of seizures, especially in individuals with history of the same.
Metabolic side-effects
- Valproic Acid use also results in elevated ammonia levels in the body. High ammonia levels can be toxic to the brain and result in impaired memory, shortened attention span, severe confusion, disturbed sleep, restlessness, seizures, and in severe cases can result in coma and death. Report any of these findings, secondary to Valproic Acid intake, to your physician immediately for further recommendations and/or change in plan of care.
