What is Valproic Acid?
Valproic acid is used to treat certain seizure disorders (epilepsy), bipolar disease and prevent migraine headaches. It is recommended in conjunction with other antiepileptic drugs like phenytoin or phenobarbital to keep a check on certain seizures. Seizure disorders impact the brain's ability to transmit electrical impulses and monitor nerve activity. The valproic acid level is maintained within a narrow therapeutic range as a lesser amount of this drug can lead to the recurrence of symptoms and anything in excess results in the severity of the mentioned symptoms.
During a seizure, a person experiences alterations in sight, smell, and taste, convulsions, and changes in consciousness. Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that is indicated by cycles of depression and mania.
Valproic Acid is a medication prescribed for the treatment of seizures, bipolar disorders (mental or mood conditions) and to treat migraine headaches. This acid is also known as Sodium Valproate acid.
A Valproic Acid test is taken to measure and monitor the amount of valproic acid present in the blood sample. This test performed shows drug toxicity levels and even during treatment and post-treatment drug toxicity levels.
Why Get Tested?
The valproic acid test is done to monitor the concentration of valproic acid in the blood and to detect low or excessive (potentially toxic) concentrations.
Reasons To Take Valproic Acid Test
- Alterations in sight, smell, and taste
- Head trauma
- Migraine headaches
- Metabolic disorders
- A brain tumor
- High fever
- Changes in consciousness
- Convulsions Severe infections
Why Do I Need Valproic Acid Test?
Valproic acid treatment is mainly required to control seizures also known as epilepsy, bipolar disorders. Valproic acid is very effective for migraine treatment as well.
Seizure disorders disrupt the brain’s ability to transmit signals and monitor nerve activity. These disruptions lead to mental conditions caused due to temporary communication problems from the nerves cells to the brain. This leads to mild symptoms like (staring into space or blinking) and severe (the whole body trembling or fainting).
Seizures can be caused due to various reasons:
- Infections like meningitis or encephalitis
- Brain trauma caused due to accidents or lack of oxygen during birth
- A genetic or metabolic disorder
- A stroke or a brain tumour
- Congenital brain or malformation of a Blood vessel
Usually what leads to seizures, can possibly remain unknown.
This test is done to monitor the amount of valproic acid which is an anticonvulsant test existing in the blood sample. Valproic acid is mainly done to prevent these seizures.
