How and when to take sodium valproate

The usual dose of sodium valproate for treating epilepsy in adults and children aged 12 years and over is 600mg to 2,000mg a day, as 1 dose or split into 2 doses. Some people take a higher dose of 2,500mg a day.

For younger children aged 1 month to 11 years, the doctor will use your child's weight to work out the right dose for them.

The usual dose for treating bipolar disorder in adults is 750mg to 2,000mg a day, as 1 dose or split into 2 doses.

The usual dose for preventing migraine in adults is 400mg to 1,500mg, split into 2 doses.

If your doctor tells you to take sodium valproate twice a day, you'll usually take half the dose in the morning and half in the evening (to make up your full daily dose).

If you're taking sodium valproate and have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.

Changes to your dose

To reduce the chance of side effects, your doctor will start you off on a low dose of sodium valproate. They will increase it gradually over a few days or weeks.

Once you find a dose that suits you, it will usually stay the same, unless your condition changes, or your doctor starts you on a new medicine that may affect sodium valproate.

How to take it

Sodium valproate comes as gastro-resistant tablets, crushable tablets, and as a liquid. It also comes as slow release (also called prolonged or sustained release) tablets, capsules and granules.

Slow release medicine passes into your body gradually.

Gastro-resistant tablets release the medicine as soon as it passes through your stomach. This means the sodium valproate is less likely to upset your stomach.

You can take sodium valproate with or without food, but it's best to stick to the same way each time. Try not to take it with food some days and without food on other days.