EPILIM 200 GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Epilim® 200mg and 500mg Gastro-resistant Tablets
sodium valproate

Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Phone 0845 372 7101 for help.

▼This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of

new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. See the end
of section 4 for how to report side effects.
WARNING
Valproate can cause birth defects and problems with early development of the child if it is taken
during pregnancy. If you are a female of childbearing age you should use an effective method of
contraception throughout your treatment.
Your doctor will discuss this with you but you should also follow the advice in section 2 of this
leaflet. Tell your doctor at once if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important
information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them even
if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Epilim is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Epilim
3. How to take Epilim
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Epilim
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1.

What Epilim is and what it is used for

What Epilim is
The name of your medicine is Epilim 200mg or 500mg Gastro-resistant Tablets (called Epilim in this
leaflet). Epilim 200mg or 500mg Gastro-resistant Tablets are “enteric coated” this means that the
tablets have a protective coating that allows them to reach the intestines (gut) without being
dissolved in the stomach first. This helps stop them from causing a stomach upset.
What Epilim contains
Epilim contains sodium valproate. It belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or antiepileptic agents. It works by helping to calm the brain down.
What Epilim is used for

Epilim is used to treat epilepsy (fits) in adults and children.

2.

What you need to know before you take Epilim

Do not take Epilim and tell your doctor if:
X You are allergic (hypersensitive) to sodium valproate or any of the other ingredients of Epilim
(see Section 6: Contents of the pack and other information).
Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your
lips, face, throat or tongue.
X You have liver problems or you or your family have a history of liver problems.
X You have a rare illness called porphyria.
X You have a known metabolic disorder, i.e. a urea cycle disorder.
X You have a genetic problem caused by a mitochondrial disorder (e.g. Alpers-Huttenlocher
syndrome).
Do not take this medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or
pharmacist before taking Epilim.
Warnings and precautions
A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as sodium valproate have had
thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately
contact your doctor.
As with other anti-epileptic drugs, convulsions may become worse or happen more frequently whilst
taking this medicine. If this happens contact your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Epilim if:
• You have diabetes. This medicine may affect the results of urine tests.
• You have a carnitine palmitoyltransferase type II deficiency.
• You have kidney problems. Your doctor may give you a lower dose.
• You have fits (epilepsy), brain disease or a metabolic condition affecting your brain.
• You have a ‘urea cycle disorder’ where too much ammonia builds up in the body.
• You have an illness called ‘systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)’ – a disease of the immune
system which affects skin, bones, joints and internal organs.
• You know that there is a genetic problem caused by a mitochondrial disorder in your family.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking
Epilim.
Weight gain
Taking Epilim may make you put on weight. Talk to your doctor about how this will affect you.
Blood tests
Your doctor may wish to do blood tests before you start taking Epilim and during your treatment.
Other medicines and Epilim
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.
This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because
Epilim can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way
Epilim works.

The following medicines can increase the chance of you getting side effects, when taken with
Epilim:
• Some medicines used for pain and inflammation (salicylates) such as aspirin.
• Some other medicines used to treat fits (epilepsy) – see page 2, section 3, ‘Patients taking other
medicines for fits’. This includes medicines such as phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin,
carbamazepine, rufinamide, topiramate, acetazolamide, lamotrigine and felbamate.
Epilim may increase the effect of the following medicines:
• Medicines used for thinning the blood (such as warfarin).
• Zidovudine – used for HIV infection.
• Temozolomide used to treat cancer.
• Medicines for depression.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as moclobemide, selegiline, linezolid.
• Medicines used to calm emotional and mental health problems (including schizophrenia,
bipolar disorder and depression) such as quetiapine, diazepam and olanzapine.
• Nimodipine.
• Propofol – used for anaesthesia.
The following medicines can affect the way Epilim works:
• Some medicines used for the prevention and treatment of malaria such as mefloquine and
chloroquine.
• Cimetidine – used for stomach ulcers.
• Protease inhibitors such as lopinavir and ritonavir – used for HIV infection and AIDS.
• Carbapenem agents (antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections) such as imipenem,
meropenem, rifampicin and erythromycin. The combination of Epilim and carbapenems should
be avoided because it may decrease the effect of your medicine.
• Cholestyramine used to lower blood fat (cholesterol) levels.
Taking Epilim with food and drink
Alcohol intake is not recommended during treatment.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Important advice for women
• Valproate can be harmful to unborn children when taken by a woman during pregnancy.
• Valproate carries a risk if taken during pregnancy. The higher the dose, the higher the risks but
all doses carry a risk.
• It can cause serious birth defects and can affect the way in which the child develops as it grows.
Birth defects which have been reported include spina bifida (where the bones of the spine are
not properly developed); facial and skull malformations; heart, kidney, urinary tract and sexual
organ malformations; limb defects.
• If you take valproate during pregnancy you have a higher risk than other women of having a
child with birth defects that require medical treatment. Because valproate has been used for
many years we know that in women who take valproate around 10 babies in every 100 will have
birth defects. This compares to 2-3 babies in every 100 born to women who don’t have
epilepsy.
• It is estimated that up to 30-40% of preschool children whose mothers took valproate during
pregnancy may have problems with early childhood development. Children affected can be
slow to walk and talk, intellectually less able than other children, and have difficulty with
language and memory.

•
•
•

•

Autistic spectrum disorders are more often diagnosed in children exposed to valproate and
there is some evidence children may be more likely to develop symptoms of Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
If you are a woman capable of becoming pregnant your doctor should only prescribe valproate
for you if nothing else works for you.
Before prescribing this medicine to you, your doctor will have explained what might happen to
your baby if you become pregnant whilst taking valproate. If you decide later you want to have
a child you should not stop taking your medicine until you have discussed this with your doctor
and agreed a plan for switching you onto another product if this is possible.
Ask your doctor about taking folic acid when trying for a baby. Folic acid can lower the general
risk of spina bifida and early miscarriage that exists with all pregnancies. However, it is unlikely
that it will reduce the risk of birth defects associated with valproate use.

FIRST PRESCRIPTION
If this is the first time you have been prescribed valproate your doctor will have explained the risks
to an unborn child if you become pregnant. Once you are of childbearing age, you will need to make
sure you use an effective method of contraception throughout your treatment. Talk to your doctor
or family planning clinic if you need advice on contraception.
Key messages:
• Make sure you are using an effective method of contraception.
• Tell your doctor at once if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
CONTINUING TREATMENT AND NOT TRYING FOR A BABY
If you are continuing treatment with valproate but you don’t plan to have a baby make sure you are
using an effective method of contraception. Talk to your doctor or family planning clinic if you need
advice on contraception.
Key messages:
• Make sure you are using an effective method of contraception.
• Tell your doctor at once if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
CONTINUING TREATMENT AND CONSIDERING TRYING FOR A BABY
If you are continuing treatment with valproate and you are now thinking of trying for a baby you
must not stop taking either your valproate or your contraceptive medicine until you have discussed
this with your prescriber. You should talk to your doctor well before you become pregnant so that
you can put several actions in place so that your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible and any
risks to you and your unborn child are reduced as much as possible.
Your doctor may decide to change the dose of valproate or switch you to another medicine before
you start trying for a baby.
If you do become pregnant you will be monitored very closely both for the management of your
underlying condition and to check how your unborn child is developing.
Ask your doctor about taking folic acid when trying for a baby. Folic acid can lower the general risk of
spina bifida and early miscarriage that exists with all pregnancies. However, it is unlikely that it will
reduce the risk of birth defects associated with valproate use.
Key messages:
• Do not stop using your contraception before you have talked to your doctor and worked
together on a plan to ensure your epilepsy is controlled and the risks to your baby are reduced.
• Tell your doctor at once when you know or think you might be pregnant.

UNPLANNED PREGNANCY WHILST CONTINUING TREATMENT
Babies born to mothers who have been on valproate are at serious risk of birth defects and
problems with development which can be seriously debilitating. If you are taking valproate and you
think you are pregnant or might be pregnant contact your doctor at once. Do not stop taking your
medicine until your doctor tells you to.
Ask your doctor about taking folic acid. Folic acid can lower the general risk of spina bifida and early
miscarriage that exists with all pregnancies. However, it is unlikely that it will reduce the risk of birth
defects associated with valproate use.
Key messages:
• Tell your doctor at once if you know you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• Do not stop taking valproate unless your doctor tells you to.
Make sure you read the patient booklet and sign the Acknowledgement of Risk form which should
be given to you and discussed with you by your doctor or pharmacist.
Breast-feeding
Very little Epilim gets into the breast milk. However, talk to your doctor about whether you should
breast-feed your baby. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
You may feel sleepy when taking Epilim. If this happens to you, do not drive or use any tools or
machines. Taking other medicines used to treat fits or calm emotional and mental health problems
may increase sleepiness.

3.

How to take Epilim

Always take Epilim exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or
pharmacist if you are not sure.
Epilim treatment must be started and supervised by a doctor specialised in the treatment of
epilepsy.
Taking this medicine
• Your doctor will decide how much Epilim to give you or your child depending on your or your
child’s body weight.
• Take this medicine by mouth.
• Do not crush or chew the tablets.
• If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose
yourself but ask your doctor.
How to take this medicine
• The dose is normally split and given half in the morning and half in the evening.
How much to take
Adults (including the elderly)
• The starting dose is 600mg daily. Your doctor should gradually increase this dose by 200mg
every 3 days depending on your condition.
• The usual dose is between 1000mg and 2000mg (20-30mg per kilogram of body weight)
each day.
• This may be increased to 2500mg each day depending on your illness.

Children over 20 kilograms
• The starting dose should be 400mg daily. Your doctor should increase this dose depending
on your child’s illness.
• The usual dose is then between 20mg and 30mg for each kilogram of body weight each
day.
• This may be further increased to 35mg for each kilogram of body weight each day
depending on your child’s illness.
Children under 20 kilograms
• The usual dose is 20mg for each kilogram of body weight each day.
• Depending on the child’s condition your child’s doctor may decide to increase this dose.
Patients with kidney problems
Your doctor may decide to adjust your or your child’s dose.
Patients taking other medicines for fits (epilepsy):
• You or your child may be taking other medicines for epilepsy at the same time as Epilim. If
so, your doctor should gradually initiate treatment depending on your or your child’s
condition.
• Your doctor may increase the dose of Epilim by 5 to 10mg for each kilogram of body weight
each day depending on which other medicines you are taking.
If you take more Epilim than you should
If you take more Epilim than you should, tell a doctor or go to a hospital casualty department
straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken.
The following effects may happen: feeling sick or being sick, pupils of the eye become smaller,
dizziness, loss of consciousness, weak muscles and poor reflexes, breathing problems, headaches,
fits (seizures), confusion, memory loss and unusual or inappropriate behaviour.
If you forget to take Epilim
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for the
next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Epilim
Keep taking until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking Epilim just because you feel
better. If you stop your fits may come back.
Tests
Make sure you or your child keep your regular appointments for a check-up. They are very important
as your or your child’s dose may need to be changed. Epilim can change the levels of liver enzymes
shown up in blood tests. This can mean that your or your child’s liver is not working properly. If you
or your child go into hospital or visit another doctor or a dentist, tell them you are taking Epilim.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Epilim can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects – you may
need urgent medical treatment:
• You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, joint pain, fever (systemic lupus
erythematosus), swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Hands, feet or genitals may also be affected. More severe allergic reactions can lead to lymph
node enlargement and possible impairment of other organs.
• Liver problems and problems of the pancreas may show as a sudden illness which may happen
in the first six months of treatment. This happens in a very small number of people taking
Epilim. It includes feeling and being sick many times, being very tired, sleepy and weak, stomach
pain including very bad upper stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the
eyes), loss of appetite, swelling (especially of the legs and feet but may include other parts of
the body), worsening of your fits or a general feeling of being unwell. Your doctor may tell you
to stop taking Epilim immediately if you have these symptoms.
• You have a skin rash or skin lesions with a pink/red ring and a pale centre which may be itchy,
scaly or filled with fluid. The rash may appear especially on the palms or soles of your feet.
These could be signs of a serious allergy to the medicine called ‘erythema multiforme’.
• Blistering or bleeding of the skin around the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. Also flu-like
symptoms and fever. This may be something called ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’.
• Severe blistering rash where layers of the skin may peel off to leave large areas of raw exposed
skin over the body. Also a feeling of being generally unwell, fever, chills and aching muscles.
This may be something called ‘Toxic epidermal necrolysis’.
• Bruising more easily and getting more infections than usual. This could be a blood problem
called ‘thrombocytopenia’. It can also be due to a fall in the number of white blood cells, bone
marrow depression or another condition that affects red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelets (pancytopenia) or how the blood clots.
• Blood clotting problems (bleeding for longer than normal), bruising or bleeding for no reason.
• Changes in mood, loss of memory, lack of concentration and deep loss of consciousness (coma).
• Underactive thyroid gland, which may cause tiredness or weight gain (hypothyroidism).
• Breathing difficulty and pain due to inflammation of the lungs (pleural effusion).
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following side effects:
• Changes in behaviour including being very alert, and sometimes also aggressive, hyperactive
and unusual or inappropriate behaviour. This is more likely if other medicine to treat fits such as
phenobarbital and topiramate are taken at the same time or if the Epilim starting dose is high or
has been suddenly increased.
• Changes in the amount of ammonia in the blood. Symptoms of this condition are being sick,
problems with balance and co-ordination, feeling lethargic or less alert.
• Feeling shaky (tremor), sleepy or unsteady when walking or jerky muscle movements.
• Feeling tired or confused with loss of consciousness sometimes accompanied by hallucinations
or fits.
• Blisters with the skin flaking away.
• Rapid, uncontrollable movement of the eyes.
• An increase in the number and severity of convulsions.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or lasts longer than a
few days, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet:
• Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), stomach ache or diarrhoea, especially when starting
treatment. This may be helped by taking the tablets with food.
• Swelling of gums or sore mouth
• Fainting
• Hearing loss

•
•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Nail and nail bed disorders
Skin problems such as rashes. These happen rarely, but more often in people also taking
lamotrigine.
Acne
Hair loss which is usually temporary. When it grows back it may be more curly than before.
Hair disorders (changes in texture, colour or growth)
Increased levels of some hormones (androgens), which may lead to increased hair growth on
the face, breasts or chest, acne or thinning hair.
Skin rash caused by narrow or blocked blood vessels (vasculitis)
Changes in women’s periods and increased hair growth in women
Breast enlargement in men
Swelling of the feet and legs (oedema)
Weight gain – as your appetite may be increased
Kidney disease
Kidney problems, bedwetting or increased need to pass urine
Blood in the urine
Headache
Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
Aggression, agitation, disturbance in attention, abnormal behaviour, restlessness/hyperactivity,
and learning disorder
Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Lowering of normal body temperature
Abnormal blood clotting factors
Muscle pain and weakness (rhabdomyolysis)
Obesity

Bone disorders
There have been reports of bone disorders including osteopenia and osteoporosis (thinning of the
bone) and fractures. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on long-term anti-epileptic
medication, have a history of osteoporosis, or take steroids.
Blood tests
Epilim can change levels of liver enzymes, salts or sugars shown up on blood and urine tests.
Male fertility
Taking Epilim can be a contributing factor in male infertility.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side
effects not listed in this leaflet.
United Kingdom
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App
Store.
Malta
You can also report side effects directly via ADR Reporting:
www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrportal
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5.

How to store Epilim

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date shown on the blister and carton after EXP. The expiry
date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not remove the tablets from the foil until just before you take them. Do not cut the blister strips.
Store in a dry place below 30°C.
Medicines should not be disposed of via household wastewater or household waste. Ask your
pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the
environment.

6.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Epilim Gastro-resistant Tablets contain
• Each 200mg gastro-resistant tablet contains 200mg of the active substance, sodium valproate.
• Each 500mg gastro-resistant tablet contains 500mg of the active substance, sodium valproate.
• The other ingredients are povidone (E1201), talc, calcium silicate (E552), magnesium stearate
(E572), hypromellose (E464), citric acid monohydrate (E330), macrogol 6000, polyvinyl acetate
phthalate, diethyl phthalate, stearic acid (E570), titanium dioxide (E171), amaranth aluminium
lake (E123), indigo carmine lake (E132) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (E463).
What Epilim Gastro-resistant Tablets look like and contents of the pack
Epilim tablets are round and lilac coloured. The tablets are supplied in blister packs of 100.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Sanofi
One Onslow Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4YS
UK
Tel: 0845 372 7101
email: [email protected]
Manufacturer
Sanofi-aventis S.A,
Carretera C-35 (La Batlloria-Hostalric), Km 63.09
17404 Riells i Viabrea (Girona), Spain
This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If you have any questions or
are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This leaflet was last revised in March 2018
© Sanofi, 2006-2018
There are two organisations that will also be happy to try and answer any general questions on
epilepsy. They can be contacted at:
Epilepsy Action, New Anstey House, Gate Way Drive, Yeadon, Leeds, LS19 7XY

Telephone: 0808 800 5050
Website: www.epilepsy.org.uk
National Society for Epilepsy (NSE), Chesham Lane, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, SL9 0RJ
Telephone: 01494 601400
Website: www.epilepsynse.org.uk