Epiford 200mg Tablet CR

Reviews How to Use Benefits Uses Side Effects

Product Info

Prescription required	Yes
Marketer	Leeford Healthcare Ltd
Active Ingredient	Sodium Valproate (200mg)
Storage	Store below 30°C
Chemical Class	Valproic Acid Derivative
Habit Forming	No
Therapeutic Class	NEURO CNS
Action Class	Sodium channel modulators (AED)
User Rating	4.3
User Reviews	312

FAQ

For how long should I take Epiford 200mg to cure my epilepsy completely?

Epiford 200mg does not cure your condition, it only prevents the seizures from occurring. Therefore, you will have to keep on taking it, maybe for years. Consult your doctor if you face any problems while taking this medicine.

Is it safe to take Epiford 200mg for long term?

Many patients can safely take Epiford 200mg for a long time. Rarely, long-term use of Epiford 200mg may weaken your bones, thereby increasing their chances of breaking easily (osteoporosis and osteopenia). If you are taking Epiford 200mg for a long time, get regular check ups done for bone health.

Does Epiford 200mg affect the working of birth control pills?

Yes, Epiford 200mg does not have any effect on the working of birth control pills. However, contraceptives (birth control pills) may interfere with the working of Epiford 200mg and seizures may occur. It is important that you inform your doctor that you are using birth control pills. Your doctor will keep a track on your response to the treatment and monitor the Epiford 200mg levels in your blood levels.

What happens if I stop taking Epiford 200mg?

You should not stop taking Epiford 200mg suddenly. It should be discontinued gradually. Stopping it suddenly may increase the chances of recurrence of seizures. Always consult your doctor if you feel the need to stop taking this medicine.

I have gained weight after I started using Epiford 200mg. Is it because of this medicine? What should I do?

Yes, weight gain can occur with the use of Epiford 200mg. To control your weight, you should have a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor if you have any other concerns.

I am concerned because I have heard that Epiford 200mg causes hair loss. Is it true?

Epiford 200mg may cause thinning of hair, change of hair colour and even hair loss. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor if it is possible to reduce the dose of Epiford 200mg. Your hair may regrow after either reducing your dose or switching to a different medicine.

What if you forget to take Epiford Tablet CR?

If you miss a dose of Epiford 200mg, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Epiford 200mg Tablet CR Reviews

Epiford 200mg belongs to a group of medicines called anti-epileptics. It is used to treat conditions such as epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It works by preventing extreme mood swings and abnormal brain signals that trigger seizures (fits). It also helps in the prevention of migraines.

Epiford 200mg can be used alone or in combination with other medicines. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you. This may increase gradually until your condition is stable. This medicine may take several weeks to work but it is important to take it regularly to get the benefit. Do not stop taking it, even if you feel fine, unless your doctor advises you to. You may have more seizures, or your bipolar disorder may get worse.

The most common side effects of this medicine include skin rashes, headache, feeling or being sick, difficulty sleeping, dizziness and feeling sleepy or drowsy. Most side effects wear off, but if they bother you or do not go away, tell your doctor. There may be ways of preventing or reducing these effects. Long-term treatment can cause weakness in your bones (osteoporosis), increasing your risk of breaking a bone.

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, meningitis or depression or suicidal thoughts. Also let your healthcare team know about all other medications you are using as some may affect, or be affected by, this medicine, including contraceptive pills. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Epiford 200mg can be taken if it is clearly needed but the dose may be adjusted. You should avoid driving or riding a bicycle if this medicine makes you drowsy or dizzy. You may need frequent blood tests to check how you are responding to this medicine.

How Epiford 200mg Tablet CR Works

Epiford 200mg is an antiepileptic medication. It controls seizures or fits by decreasing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.

How to Use Epiford 200mg Tablet CR

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Epiford 200mg is to be taken with food.

Benefits of Epiford 200mg Tablet CR

In Bipolar disorder: Epiford 200mg works to restore the normal balance of nerve activity in your brain. It can help prevent extreme changes in mood and help you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of low mood. It can take several weeks for this medicine to work and you may still feel low during this time. It is likely that you will take this medicine for at least six months but possibly much longer. It needs to be taken regularly to work effectively. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to. You should continue to eat well and keep fit to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.
In Epilepsy/Seizures: Epiford 200mg is an anticonvulsant (or anti-epileptic) medicine that works by decreasing the nerve impulses which cause the seizures. By controlling the frequency of seizures, it will help you go about your daily activities with more confidence. It helps reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety.This medicine is not associated with any physical or psychological dependence (addiction) but it should not be stopped suddenly. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.
In Prevention of Migraine: It is not fully established how Epiford 200mg helps prevent migraines. It may change the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain or increase the activity in a region of the brain associated with migraines. By preventing and reducing the frequency of headaches, it can help you carry out your daily activities and have a better quality of life.

Uses of Epiford 200mg Tablet CR

Epilepsy/Seizures
Bipolar disorder
Prevention of Migraine

Epiford 200mg Tablet CR Side Effects

Safety Tips

Driving ^UNSAFE

Epiford 200mg may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Breast feeding ^{CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR}

Epiford 200mg is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Alcohol ^UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Epiford 200mg.

Pregnancy ^{CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR}

Epiford 200mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Liver ^CAUTION

Epiford 200mg should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Epiford 200mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Kidney ^CAUTION

Epiford 200mg should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Epiford 200mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Quick Tips

Take your medication regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
It may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
Talk to your doctor if you notice sudden mood changes or develop suicidal thoughts.
Practice yoga every day.
It may cause cosmetic side effects such as increased hair growth on face, acne and thinning of hair. Talk to your doctor if this bothers you.
Take your medication on time.
Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/laptop.
Get enough sleep at nighttime.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase the seizure frequency.
Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:Practice yoga every day.Get enough sleep at nighttime.Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/laptop.Take your medication on time.
Monitor your weight during treatment with this medicine as it can cause weight gain.