MedicinePOMEssential

Sodium Valproate ( Valproic acid )

A medicine for epilepsy and bipolar disorder, occasionally used to prevent migraines.

Clinical information

Common uses

epilepsy
bipolar disorder
preventing migraine (occasionally)

Common side effects

stomach pain, feeling or being sick
diarrhoea
feeling tired or sleepy
headaches
weight gain

Cautions

can cause birth defects — pregnancy prevention programme required
may affect fertility in men
tell your doctor about liver problems
under-55s need specialist prescribing with a second opinion

Interactions

other epilepsy medicines such as carbamazepine
warfarin (blood thinner) and aspirin
cimetidine (stomach ulcer medicine)
HIV medicines such as ritonavir
antibiotics such as erythromycin
antimalarials such as mefloquine or chloroquine

Pregnancy: avoid — can cause birth defects and learning problems

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: NHS Medicines A–Z, nhs.uk/medicines/sodium-valproate (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations15

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Divanza	Oral Liquid ( Syrup )	250mg/5ml	State Trading Organization Plc	POM
Epilex	Oral Liquid	200 mg/5ml	authorized medicine importers	POM
Epilex	Tablet	200 mg IP	authorized medicine importers	POM
hovid-Valproate Liquid 200 mg / 5 ml	Oral Liquid	200mg/5ml	Heart Land Pharmacy	POM
SODIUM VALPORATE 500MG TAB	Tablet	500 MG	—	POM
Sodium Valproate	Parenteral ( Injection )	100mg	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Sodium Valproate	Tablet	500 mg	—	POM
Sodium Valproate	Tablet	400 mg	—	POM
Sodium Valproate	Tablet	100 mg	—	POM
Sodium Valproate	Tablet	200 mg IP	—	POM
Sodium Valproate	Oral Liquid	200mg/5ml	—	POM
Valparin	Tablet	200 mg	authorized medicine importers	POM
Valparin	Oral Liquid	200 mg/5ml	authorized medicine importers	POM
Valparin	Oral Liquid	200 mg/5ml	authorized medicine importers	POM
VALPROHEM 500	Tablet ( Enteric coated )	500MG	—	POM