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Bipolar disorder - Management
What advice should I give to someone taking valproate?
- Advise the person and their carers how to recognize the signs and symptoms of:
- Blood disorders (e.g. any unexplained bleeding, bruising, purpura, sore throat, fever, or malaise that occurs during treatment).
- Liver disorders (e.g. sudden onset of asthenia, malaise, anorexia, lethargy, oedema and drowsiness [which are sometimes associated with repeated vomiting and abdominal pain], and jaundice).
- Pancreatitis (e.g. abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting).
- They should seek immediate medical help if these develop.
[National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2006; BNF 56, 2008]
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