Epilim EC 500mg

Epilim general information

What is Epilim used for?

Epilim EC tablets 500mg are used in the treatment of epilepsy in adults and children. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by seizures or fits of various different types that can range from mild to severe. Epilim EC500 is used to prevent seizures in primary generalised epilepsy, in which the whole brain is involved and partial epilepsy, in which the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised. A local seizure may spread to become a generalised seizure which cover a range of different types of seizure, including petit mal absences, various forms of myoclonic epilepsy and tonic-clonic grand mal seizures. Epilim EC500 is also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder to control acute mania, which is characterised by extreme mood swings; and for prophylaxis or prevention of episodes of mania in bipolar disorder. Epilim EC500 helps treat these different conditions working through a common mechanism to relieve symptoms, and can be used alone as monotherapy or in conjunction with other anticonvulsants.

How does Epilim work?

Epilim EC tablets 500mg contain sodium valproate, which is an anticonvulsant used to prevent seizures in epilepsy and also has antipsychotic properties, which are used for mood stabilising in bipolar disease. Epileptic seizures are triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages. Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and for the brain to function normally it is important to have a balance between excitatory neurotransmitters and those that have a calming effect on nerve cells. Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and sodium valproate in Epilim EC500 is thought to act as an anticonvulsant by increasing the activity of GABA in the brain, either by preventing its degradation or its reuptake by neuronal cells, which has a “nerve calming” effect thereby stabilising electrical activity in the brain. The anticonvulsant and antipsychotic actions of sodium valproate in Epilim EC500 are thought to be due to its GABA-ergic (potentiation of GABA) properties, which contribute to its anti-epilipeptic and antimanic effects. Sodium valproate in Epilim EC500 is also thought to act as a nerve cell membrane stabiliser by blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels, which are involved in making nerve cells hyper-excitable, as a build up of sodium ions is needed before a nerve cell can discharge and transmit an electrical signal. These combined of actions of Epilim EC500 stabilise electrical activity in the brain and inhibit the repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages, which reduces the impulses that cause seizures and manic episodes.

What does Epilim contain?

Epilim EC tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient sodium valproate, an anticonvulsant with antipsychotic properties, used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. They also contain povidone, purified talc, magnesium stearate, calcium silicate, anhydrous citric acid, macrogol 6000, hypromellose, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, diethyl phthalate, stearic acid, amaranth aluminium lake, indigo carmine aluminium lake, titanium dioxide.

Treating epilepsy with Epilim

Epilim EC tablets 500mg contain sodium valproate, an anticonvulsant that is used to control seizures in several forms of epilepsy, ranging from partial to generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Epilepsy is triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages. This is due to an imbalance between excitatory neurotransmitters (chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate), and those that have a calming effect on nerve cells, which causes bursts of electrical activity in the brain resulting in a seizure. Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and sodium valproate in Epilim EC500 is thought to act as an anticonvulsant by increasing the activity of GABA in the brain, which has a “nerve calming” effect thereby stabilising electrical activity in the brain. Sodium valproate in Epilim EC500 is also thought to act as a nerve cell membrane stabiliser by blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels, which are involved in making nerve cells hyper-excitable, as a build up of sodium ions is needed before a nerve cell can discharge and transmit an electrical signal. These combined of actions of Epilim EC500 stabilise electrical activity in the brain and inhibit the repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages, which reduces the nerve impulses that cause seizures,

Epilim for bipolar disorder

Epilim EC tablets 500mg contain sodium valproate, which is an anticonvulsant with antipsychotic properties and is used for mood stabilising in the treatment of mania in bipolar disease; also prevention episodes of mania. Episodes of mania that occur in bipolar disease are thought to be due to an imbalance between excitatory neurotransmitters (chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate), and those that have a calming effect on nerve cells and this can cause bursts of electrical activity which results in mood instability. Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and sodium valproate in Epilim EC500 is thought to act as an antipsychotic by increasing the activity of GABA in the brain, which has a “nerve calming” effect thereby stabilising electrical activity in the brain, which reduces the impulses that cause manic episodes.

What are the side effects of Epilim?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Epilim EC500 include, gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea abdominal cramps, changes in appetite), headache, tremor, unsteadiness when walking (ataxia), dizziness or light-headedness, depression, sedation.

When should Epilim not be used?

You should not use Epilim EC500 if you:

• are allergic to sodium valproate or any ingredients in Epilim
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease, severe hepatitis or a family history of hepatitis
• a urea cycle disorder or a family history of urea cycle disorders
• porphyria which is a rare blood disease of blood pigments
• known ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency or a family history of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency
• are taking medicines that interact with Epilim, including other anticonvulsants like felbamate, phenytoin, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, primidone, topiramate and ethosuximide; anticoagulants including warfarin and aspirin; antipsychotic neuroleptics like clozapine, chlorpromazine; antidepressants like SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs; benzodiazepines like diazepam, lorazepam, zidovudine for HIV; Cimetidine for peptic ulcers; Cholestyramine for high cholesterol; antibiotics like rifampicin and erythromycin

What medications interact with Epilim?

Several medications interact with Epilim EC500 and should either not be taken while you are taking Epilim or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Epilim: the anticonvulsant topiramate, mefloquine for malaria
• Drugs that affect Epilim: other anticonvulsants like felbamate, phenytoin and carbamazepine; aspirin to prevent blood clotting; Cimetidine for peptic ulcers; Cholestyramine for high cholesterol; antibiotics like rifampicin and erythromycin
• Drugs that are affected by Epilim: other anticonvulsants like felbamate, phenytoin, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, primidone and ethosuximide; anticoagulants including warfarin and aspirin; antipsychotic neuroleptics like clozapine, chlorpromazine; antidepressants like SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs; benzodiazepines like diazepam, lorazepam, zidovudine for HIV

How should Epilim be taken?

You should take your Epilim EC tablets 500mg swallowed whole with a glass of water and with food, usually twice daily. Epilim EC500 is formulated for controlled release as it passes through your intestines and is coated so that it does not dissolve in the stomach. The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for and your condition. Your doctor may increase your dose to ensure that your condition is controlled. You should continue to take EC500 for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for long-term therapy, as it will control your condition but will not cure it.

How long should you take Epilim?

You should continue to take EC500 for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for long-term therapy, as it will control your condition but will not cure it.

Missed dose of Epilim

If you miss a dose of Epilim EC500 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Epilim be stored?

You should keep your Epilim EC tablets 500mg in their blister pack until it is time to take them. You should store your Epilim EC500 below 25°C in a cool dry place.