List of adverse effects of valproate

List of adverse effects of valproate by frequency:^[1][2][3][4]

Very common (>10%)

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Low platelet count (dose-related)
• Tremor (dose-related)
• Hair loss (usually temporary)
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Hyperandrogenism in females
• Seeing double
• Indigestion
• Lazy eye
• Infection
• Tinnitus

• Elevated aminotransferase concentrations (dose-related; indicative of liver injury)

Common (1-10%)

• Paresthesia
• Abdominal pain
• Tremor
• Increased appetite
• Weight gain
• Ataxia
• Polycystic ovaries
• Memory impairment
• Menstrual irregularities
• Rash
• Back pain
• Mood changes
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Abnormal gait
• Hallucinations
• Catatonia
• Dysarthria
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Vertigo

• High blood levels of ammonia without symptoms

Uncommon (0.1-1%)

• Peripheral edema
• Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone

Rare (<0.1% frequency)

• Liver failure
• Pancreatitis (these two usually occur in first 6 months and can be fatal)
• Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
• Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
• Pure red cell aplasia
• Agranulocytosis
• Extrapyramidal syndrome (including parkinsonism, may be reversible)
• Brain problems due to high ammonia levels
• Low body temperature
• Hypersensitivity reactions including multi-organ hypersensitivity syndrome
• Eosinophilic pleural effusion
• Bone fractures (reduced BMD with long-term use)