When not to use
It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug
Uses
It is used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraine headaches.
Side Effects
Nausea, headache, weakness, drowsiness, tremor, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite , loss of vision.
Precautions
It is contraindicated in patients known to have mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ (POLG; e.g., Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome) and children under two years of age who are suspected of having a POLG-related disorder