Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Valproic Acid as follows:
- Valproic Acid can take some time to fairly adjust to your body, before preventing seizure episodes and providing relief from symptoms of mania. Do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication.
- Valproic Acid can interact with a lot of other medications, leading to serious drug interactions and side-effects. If you are being newly started on Valproic Acid, discuss with your physician regarding all your current medications and their safety with Valproic Acid. Also, notify your physician regarding any current Valproic Acid intake, if you are being started on any new medications and discuss their safety with Valproic Acid.
- Patients with history of mood disorders, secondary to Valproic Acid intake, can experience deterioration and worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, including suicidal thoughts. Notify your physician regarding any such worsening mood changes, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised.
- Notify your doctor of any continuing episodes of seizures. Also, if Valproic Acid is prescribed for control of mania symptoms in individuals with history of bipolar disorder, notify your doctor of any worsening or continuing symptoms of excitation and mania, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised.
