Encorate Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Encorate Tablet contains sodium valproate, an anticonvulsant medicine. It is used to treat epilepsy, manage bipolar disorder, and prevent migraine attacks. It works by calming overactive nerve activity in the brain and should be used exactly as prescribed by a doctor.

What is Encorate Tablet

Encorate Tablet is a prescription medicine that contains sodium valproate, an anticonvulsant (antiepileptic) medicine used to treat seizures, bipolar disorder, and to prevent migraines.

Encorate Tablet uses

• Epilepsy (controls and prevents seizures)
• Bipolar disorder (stabilizes mood and reduces episodes of mania and depression)
• Migraine prevention (reduces frequency of migraine attacks)

Benefits of Encorate Tablet

• Controls seizures
• Stabilizes mood
• Prevents migraines
• Well-tolerated
• Effective for various types of epilepsy

How Encorate Tablet works

This medicine calms down overactive nerve activity in the brain by increasing a calming brain chemical called GABA. This helps control seizures, stabilize mood, and reduce migraine attacks.

Encorate Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor; do not change the dose or stop early on your own. Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not chew, crush, or break it. Take it with food to help reduce stomach upset. Try to take it at the same time every day to keep steady levels in the body. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice, as this can bring back seizures or mood swings.

Blood tests may be needed during treatment to check liver function and blood counts. Children may need careful dose adjustment and monitoring by a doctor. Older adults may be more sensitive to side effects and need careful dosing.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Injection
• Syrup
• Oral solution

Side effects of Encorate Tablet

Common

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Tremor
• Dizziness
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Upper abdominal pain
• Skin rashes
• Unsteadiness while walking

Serious

• Liver function abnormal / liver inflammation or injury
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Severe allergic skin reactions
• Changes in blood cell counts, increased bruising or bleeding
• Confusion or mood changes, suicidal thoughts
• Rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing

Warnings and precautions

• Use with caution if you have liver disease, pancreatitis, or urea cycle disorders, and get regular liver function checks. 
• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. It should not be used in pregnancy for epilepsy unless there is no alternative, and it is not recommended for women who could become pregnant unless a pregnancy-prevention plan is followed. It is also unsuitable for people with significant liver disease.
• This medicine should not be used if you have urea cycle disorders, as it can cause serious complications related to ammonia build-up. Avoid this medicine if you have a history of pancreatitis, since it may cause it to come back. This medicine should not be used with certain antibiotics (like meropenem or imipenem), which can make it much less effective and increase the risk of seizures returning. Do not stop this medicine suddenly without medical advice, as it can cause seizures to return or worsen your condition.
• This medicine is generally unsafe in pregnancy because it can harm the developing baby. It should only be used in pregnancy if there is no suitable alternative, and a pregnancy-prevention plan should be discussed with your doctor.
• Use with caution while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits, and watch the baby for unusual bruising, bleeding, jaundice, or other signs of liver problems.
• This medicine is probably safe in people with kidney disease, and dose adjustment usually isn't needed, but check with your doctor.
• Use with caution if you have liver disease; your dose may need to be adjusted. It is not recommended for people with severe liver disease.
• Alcohol can increase drowsiness and sleepiness when combined with this medicine, so it is best avoided.
• Do not drive or use machinery while taking this medicine, as it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or unsteadiness.

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place away from light and moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Store below 30° C
• Keep the tablets in their original packaging
• Do not use the medication after the expiry date shown on the pack

When to see a doctor

• Stop the medicine and get help right away if you notice a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
• Get medical help immediately if you take too much of this medicine, since an overdose can cause deep unconsciousness, slowed breathing, and dangerous heart rhythm problems. Take the pack with you to the emergency department.
• Contact your doctor if you notice signs of liver problems such as unusual tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
• Seek help for signs of pancreatitis such as severe stomach pain with nausea, vomiting, fever, and a fast heartbeat.
• Report any new or worsening low mood, or thoughts of self-harm, to your doctor right away.
• Seek help for signs of a blood disorder such as unexplained bruising or bleeding, pale skin, or small red spots under the skin.
• Get medical attention for signs of a severe allergic reaction such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Alternatives

• Divalproex Sodium
• Levetiracetam
• Oxcarbazepine