Stavzor

Generic Name: valproic acid (val PRO ik A sid)
Brand Names: Depakene, Stavzor

What is Stavzor?

Stavzor (valproic acid) affects chemicals in the body that may be involved in causing seizures and migraines.

Stavzor is an anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant) used to treat various types of seizure disorders. It is sometimes used together with other seizure medications.

Stavzor is also used to help prevent migraine headaches and to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.

Stavzor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Stavzor

Do not start or stop taking Stavzor during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Stavzor may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Stavzor for seizures.

In rare cases, Stavzor has caused life-threatening liver failure, especially in children younger than 2 years old.

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Stavzor has also caused rare cases of life-threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis can come on suddenly and symptoms may start even after you have been taking Stavzor for several years.

Seek emergency medical attention if the person taking this medicine has nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, or loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. Some of these symptoms may also be early signs of pancreatitis.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking Stavzor. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Before taking Stavzor

In rare cases, Stavzor has caused life-threatening liver failure, especially in children younger than 2 years old. Children of this age may be at even greater risk for liver problems if they use more than one seizure medication, if they have a metabolic disorder, or if they have a brain disease causing mental impairment (such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Huntington disease, multiple sclerosis, or a brain injury or infection).

Stavzor has also caused rare cases of life-threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis can come on suddenly and symptoms may start even after you have been taking Stavzor for several years. Do not take this medicine if you have liver disease or a urea cycle disorder.

You should not take Stavzor if you are allergic to valproic acid, or if you have severe liver disease or a urea cycle disorder.

To make sure you can safely take Stavzor, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• a history of head injury, brain disorder, or coma;

• a family history of a urea cycle disorder;

• a family history of infant deaths with unknown cause; or

• HIV or CMV (cytomegalovirus) infection.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

FDA pregnancy category D. If you are pregnant, DO NOT START TAKING Stavzor unless your doctor tells you to. Stavzor may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. If you become pregnant while taking Stavzor, DO NOT STOP TAKING the medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

See also: Stavzor pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Stavzor may also affect cognitive development in children born to mothers who take this medication during pregnancy. Studies have shown that these children may score lower on cognitive tests (reasoning, intelligence, and problem-solving) than children whose mothers took other seizure medications during pregnancy.

Do not start or stop taking Stavzor during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Seizure control is very important during pregnancy and the benefits of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by using valproic acid. There may be other seizure medications that can be more safely used during pregnancy. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking Stavzor while you are pregnant. Valproic acid can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Stavzor.

How should I take Stavzor?

Take Stavzor capsules exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Drink plenty of water while you are taking Stavzor. Your dose may need to be changed if you do not get enough fluids each day.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Do not stop using Stavzor without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using Stavzor suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or break a capsule because the medicine may irritate your mouth or throat when you swallow it. Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take Stavzor. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.

Store Stavzor at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Stavzor dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include sleepiness or drowsiness, shallow breathing, weak pulse, or loss of consciousness.

What should I avoid while taking Stavzor?

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Stavzor. Valproic acid may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Stavzor can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Stavzor side effects

Seek emergency medical attention if the person taking Stavzor has nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, or loss of appetite, low fever, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). These symptoms may be early signs of liver damage. Some of these symptoms may also be early signs of pancreatitis.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Stavzor: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side effects:

• unexplained weakness with vomiting and confusion or fainting;

• easy bruising or bleeding, blood in your urine;

• fever, chills, body aches, swollen glands, flu symptoms;

• urinating less than usual;

• hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there);

• extreme drowsiness, lack of coordination;

• double vision or back-and-forth movements of the eyes; or

• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious Stavzor side effects may include:

• mild drowsiness or weakness;

• diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach;

• changes in your menstrual periods;

• enlarged breasts;

• tremor (shaking);

• hair loss;

• weight changes;

• vision changes; or

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Stavzor side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Stavzor?

Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Stavzor. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other seizure medication.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol);

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol);

• clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo);

• diazepam (Valium);

• ethosuximide (Zarontin);

• meropenem (Merrem) or imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• topiramate (Topamax);

• tolbutamide (Orinase);

• zidovudine (Retrovir); or

• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), secobarbital (Seconal), and others; or

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Stavzor. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Stavzor.