A person with epilepsy repeatedly has seizures, whereby the brain sends out abnormal and unregulated electrical signals. Neurologists may not always find the reason for epilepsy, but a variety of disorders can cause it including congenital disorders, trauma to the brain, infections, tumors and strokes. Sodium valproate is one type of medication that is available to treat epilepsy.
Understanding Epilepsy
In a seizure, the nerve cells of the brain send out sudden, abnormal, uncontrolled electrical signals. Epilepsy, on the other hand, refers to the disorder in which someone has reoccurring seizures. It is a common disorder, as it affects an estimated 0.5 percent of Americans, according to Michael Aminoff, M.D. in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment," published in 2011. Sometimes, the neurologist cannot find the reason for it, and this is called idiopathic epilepsy; other times, the neurologist can determine the cause.
Causes
Various congenital disorders can cause epilepsy. Injuries that can occur during or soon after birth can cause epilepsy as well. Additional causes include trauma, withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, Alzheimer's, liver failure, kidney failure, abnormal blood vessels in the brain, abscesses in the brain, stroke and brain tumors. In fact, Dr. Aminoff writes in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment" that epilepsy can be the first sign of a brain tumor. Many infections may also cause this disorder including AIDS, encephalitis and meningitis.
Sodium Valproate
Sodium valproate is an antiseizure, antiepileptic medication that was first licensed in the United States in 1978, according to "Basic & Clinical Pharmacology." The most common side effects of sodium valproate are nausea, vomiting, heartburn and stomach pains. Patients who can gradually start taking this medication can avoid these side effects. However, a small number may gain weight, experience hair loss and have an increased appetite. It can cause liver failure, especially in children younger than age 2.
Sodium Valproate, Epilepsy and Birth Defects
the FDA released a statement on December 3, 2009 stating that sodium valproate can cause birth defects in the fetus of a pregnant woman if she takes this medication during her pregnancy, especially if she takes it during the first 12 weeks. Babies can have heart problems, abnormalities in their faces and have neural tube defects whereby there is an opening in the brain or spinal cord. The FDA recommends that women who are not pregnant, but taking this medication, should use contraception.
References
- "Basic & Clinical Pharmacology"; Bertram Katzung, M.D., Ph.D., Susan Masters, Ph.D., Anthony Trevor, Ph.D.; 2009
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2011"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2011
- Food and Drug Administration: Valproate Sodium and related products - Risk of Birth Defects
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