Valproate (valproic acid, VPA, sodium valproate, and valproate semisodium forms) are medications primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches.[6] They are useful for the prevention of seizures in those with absence seizures, partial seizures, and generalized seizures.[6] They can be given intravenously or by mouth, and the tablet forms exist in both long- and short-acting formulations.[6]
Common side effects of valproate include nausea, vomiting, somnolence, and dry mouth.[6] Serious side effects can include liver failure, and regular monitoring of liver function tests is therefore recommended.[6] Other serious risks include pancreatitis and an increased suicide risk.[6] Valproate is known to cause serious abnormalities in fetuses if taken during pregnancy,[6][7] and is contra-indicated for women of childbearing age unless the drug is essential to their medical condition and the recipient is also prescribed a contraceptive.[6][8][3] The United States Food and Drug Administration has indicated a black box warning given the frequency and severity of the side effects and teratogenicity.[3] As of 2022 the drug was still prescribed in the UK to potentially pregnant women, but use declined by 51% from 2018–19 to 2020–21.[9]
Valproate's precise mechanism of action is unclear.[6][10] Proposed mechanisms include affecting GABA levels, blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, inhibiting histone deacetylases, and increasing LEF1.[11][12][13] Valproic acid is a branched short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), a derivative of valeric acid.[11]
Valproate was originally synthesized in 1881 and came into medical use in 1962.[14] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines[15][16] and is available as a generic medication.[6] In 2021, it was the 155th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3million prescriptions.[17][18]
^"FDA-sourced list of all drugs with black box warnings (Use Download Full Results and View Query links.)". nctr-crs.fda.gov. FDA. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
^Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
^ abcCite error: The named reference Depakote FDA label was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Depakote ER FDA label was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abc"Depakene, Stavzor (valproic acid) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more". Medscape Reference. WebMD. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
^ abcdefghij"Valproic Acid". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 24 November 2020. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017.
^"Valproate banned without the pregnancy prevention programme". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
^"Drug Safety Update - Valproate medicines (Epilim, Depakote): contraindicated in women and girls of childbearing potential unless conditions of Pregnancy Prevention Programme are met". GOV.UK - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. 24 April 2018. Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
^Davis N (17 April 2022). "Sodium valproate: what are dangers of epilepsy drug for unborn babies?". The Observer. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
^ abGhodke-Puranik Y, Thorn CF, Lamba JK, Leeder JS, Song W, Birnbaum AK, et al. (April 2013). "Valproic acid pathway: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics". Pharmacogenetics and Genomics. 23 (4): 236–241. doi:10.1097/FPC.0b013e32835ea0b2. PMC 3696515. PMID 23407051.
^"Valproic acid". DrugBank. University of Alberta. 29 July 2017. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
^Santos R, Linker SB, Stern S, Mendes AP, Shokhirev MN, Erikson G, et al. (June 2021). "Deficient LEF1 expression is associated with lithium resistance and hyperexcitability in neurons derived from bipolar disorder patients". Molecular Psychiatry. 26 (6): 2440–2456. doi:10.1038/s41380-020-00981-3. PMC 9129103. PMID 33398088.
^Scott DF (1993). The history of epileptic therapy : an account of how medication was developed (1st ed.). Carnforth u.a.: Parthenon Publ. Group. p. 131. ISBN 978-1-85070-391-4. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
^World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
^World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
^"The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
^"Valproate - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
Valproate (valproic acid, VPA, sodium valproate, and valproate semisodium forms) are medications primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder...
Valproate pivoxil (Pivadin, Valproxen) is an anticonvulsant used in the treatment of epilepsy. It is the pivaloyloxymethyl ester derivative of valproic...
Eslicarbazepine acetate (2009). The following are fatty-acids: The valproates — valproic acid, sodium valproate, and divalproex sodium (1967). Vigabatrin (1989). Progabide...
depression, as either monotherapy or adjunctive therapy (with lithium or valproate). It is developed by Intra-Cellular Therapies, licensed from Bristol-Myers...
psychiatric medications valproic acid sodium salt also known as valproate semisodium or (sodium valproate and valproic acid in 1:1 ratio) Children and Medication...
drugs being studied in different combinations include clonazepam, sodium valproate, piracetam, and primidone. Hormonal therapy may improve responses to antimyoclonic...
bipolar disorder. Carbamazepine appears to work as well as phenytoin and valproate for focal and generalized seizures. It is not effective for absence or...
typical antiseizure drugs should be given, including valproic acid (valproate), fosphenytoin, levetiracetam, or a similar substance(s). While empirically...
Generic Name: Felbamate Levetiracetam Zonisamide Topiramate Valproate Lamotrigine Perampanel Valproate, a relatively old drug, is often considered the first-line...
channels and thus it is not effective for treating other types of seizures. Valproate and gabapentin (among others) have multiple mechanisms of action including...
anticonvulsants, valproate and carbamazepine are more likely to have interactions with other drugs due to high cytochrome P450 enzymatic activity. Valproate inhibits...
trazodone), anti-convulsant and mood stabilizer drugs such as sodium valproate. Anticoagulants, cantharides (Spanish Fly) and recreational drugs (alcohol...
and isoniazid levels should be monitored. Valproate levels may increase when taken with isoniazid. Valproate levels should be monitored and its dose adjusted...
including phenytoin, carbamazepine and valproate. Evidence suggests that phenytoin, carbamazepine, and valproate may be equally effective in both focal...
It may produce more stable plasma levels than valproic acid or sodium valproate and may be more effective at preventing febrile seizures. However, it...
anticonvulsants used in the treatment of mood disorders.[citation needed] Valproate – Available in extended release form. This drug can be very irritating...
Adverse effects by frequency for use of valproate semisodium. Nausea Tremor Liver injury Gastralgia Diarrhoea Extrapyramidal (movement) disorder Stupor...
further mania, similar to the kindling model of seizures. Valproic acid, or valproate, was one of the first anti-convulsants tested for use in bipolar disorder...
in breastfed infants of mothers taking carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, valproate, levetiracetam, and topiramate were quite low, especially in relationship...