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What is Valproic Acid
Valproic acidThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryValproic acid, also known as valproate, is a type of fatty acid derivative that is used to prevent seizures. It was first developed in 1881, but wasn’t discovered to have anti-seizure properties until 1963. In 1978, it was approved by the FDA under the brand name Depakene. Valproic acid is also used to treat mania, migraine, and has anti-cancer effects. It is currently being studied in many clinical trials for different types of cancer.
Depakeneis the brand name
Valproic Acid Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Depakene
Valproic acid
1978
481
Effectiveness
How Valproic Acid Affects PatientsValproate is used to help treat complex partial seizures and migraines. It is thought to work by calming the brain and preventing damage. Valproate is known to be harmful to the liver and can cause birth defects, though the reasons for this are unclear. Additionally, there is evidence that it could reactivate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) when combined with other treatments, though a larger study did not find any significant effect. The FDA label for valproate contains a warning about this risk.
How Valproic Acid works in the bodyValproate works in a few different ways to treat epilepsy, migraine headaches, and bipolar disorder. It increases the amount of an inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA in the brain, which helps reduce nerve firing. Valproate also impacts some proteins that help regulate cell growth and death. It also reduces the production of inflammatory molecules, which can help reduce headaches. Finally, it can turn on certain genes to help protect the brain from damage.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Valproic Acid is dependent upon the diagnosed condition, including Seizures, Seizure, Absence and Complex Partial Seizures. The extent of dosage fluctuates in accordance with the mode of delivery (e.g. Injection, solution - Intravenous or Capsule, delayed release) outlined in the table underneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Acute Coryza
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Tablet, delayed release particles, Tablet, delayed release particles - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Capsule, Delayed Release - Oral, Capsule, Delayed Release
Complex Partial Seizures
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Tablet, delayed release particles, Tablet, delayed release particles - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Capsule, Delayed Release - Oral, Capsule, Delayed Release
Migraine
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Tablet, delayed release particles, Tablet, delayed release particles - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Capsule, Delayed Release - Oral, Capsule, Delayed Release
Behcet Syndrome
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Tablet, delayed release particles, Tablet, delayed release particles - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Capsule, Delayed Release - Oral, Capsule, Delayed Release
Seizure, Absence
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Tablet, delayed release particles, Tablet, delayed release particles - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Capsule, Delayed Release - Oral, Capsule, Delayed Release
Mental Depression
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Tablet, delayed release particles, Tablet, delayed release particles - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Capsule, Delayed Release - Oral, Capsule, Delayed Release
Seizures
, 250.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Tablet, delayed release particles, Tablet, delayed release particles - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Capsule, Delayed Release - Oral, Capsule, Delayed Release
Warnings
Valproic Acid has five contraindications, so its utilization should be avoided when suffering from any of the following conditions listed in the table.Valproic Acid ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
POLG-related disorder
Do Not Combine
Significant hepatic impairment
Do Not Combine
Disease
Do Not Combine
Hepatic Disease
Do Not Combine
Enzymes
Do Not Combine
Common Valproic Acid Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The metabolism of Abemaciclib can be decreased when combined with Valproic acid.
Acalabrutinib
Major
The metabolism of Acalabrutinib can be decreased when combined with Valproic acid.
Alectinib
Major
The metabolism of Alectinib can be decreased when combined with Valproic acid.
Aminophylline
Major
The metabolism of Aminophylline can be decreased when combined with Valproic acid.
Amiodarone
Major
The metabolism of Amiodarone can be decreased when combined with Valproic acid.
Valproic Acid Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe toxic dose of Valproate in mice is 1098mg/kg and 670mg/kg in rats. Symptoms of an overdose may include drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, coma and high sodium levels in the blood. In some cases, death has been reported, but people have also recovered with blood concentrations of Valproate as high as 2120mcg/mL. Dialysis can be used to remove the unbound fraction of the drug from the bloodstream and naloxone can reverse the effects of the overdose, but it may also stop the anti-epileptic effects.Pregnant women taking
Valproic Acid Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Valproic Acid?
65 active studies are currently in progress to evaluate the potential of Valproic Acid for alleviating Migraine, Complex Partial Seizures and Acute Coryza.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Mental Depression
3 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Behcet Syndrome
2 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Seizure, Absence
0 Actively Recruiting
Acute Coryza
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Complex Partial Seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Migraine
52 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Valproic Acid Reviews: What are patients saying about Valproic Acid?
5Patient Review
3/20/2014 This drug has been effective for me, except that I've experienced some weight gain and heartburn. My doctor says that the former is a side-effect of the Remeron, but I suspect it may be from the Valproic Acid as well.
5Patient Review
10/5/2013 For the past four months, I've been using this to manage my chronic migraines. Before, I was having them every single day; now, I only get one maybe two headaches a month. This stuff is amazing and has completely changed my quality of life.
5Patient Review
6/28/2013 I've been giving my son this medication for three months now and I'm really not happy with it. He's experienced personality changes, rashes, and seemed depressed. That said, it has helped to control his outbursts somewhat.
5Patient Review
10/7/2012 My 4 year old daughter was prescribed this medication and it did help to stop her seizures. However, we noticed some terrible side effects like hair loss and mood swings, so we're in the process of weaning her off of it now.
4.3Patient Review
10/2/2012 My husband has been on this medication for a couple months now and, unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be helping. If anything, I'd say it's made things worse. He had a major panic attack not long after starting the medicine which led to a suicide attempt.
4.3Patient Review
4/8/2014 I've been on this medication for 15 years and it's generally been working well, but I'm starting to experience more side effects than usual. Might have to switch things up.
4.3Patient Review
6/19/2014 I take Valproic Acid three times a day and it's made me very drowsy. I'm currently trying to wean myself down to once per night to see if that has any effect.
4Patient Review
11/20/2012 After years of struggling with depression, my new doctor put me on this medication. It started working almost immediately and I began to feel better than I had in years. I didn't even know that I was bipolar, but my new wife did and she wasn't afraid to speak up about it. She also deals with depression herself, so she knows what she's talking about.
4Patient Review
4/13/2016 I used 2000mg of this treatment for about 7-8 years, starting when I was 15. Depression, mood swings, and slight bipolarism were common during that time. However, I learned to adapt and change accordingly. Now I'm free from the medication, and I feel normal. Although it was tough going through all of that, it motivated me even more to stay healthy and active.
3.7Patient Review
4/14/2014 The side effects of this drug are bothersome, but the results are worth it.
3.7Patient Review
12/14/2013 I've been prescribed valproic acid, but in smaller doses because it's incredibly painful to my stomach and diaphragm otherwise. I get heartburn and acid reflux frequently, for which I take Nexium and Zantac, but they don't seem to be helping much.
3.7Patient Review
12/24/2014 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and put on this medication. I noticed an obvious weight gain; however, it helped to control my manic state. Now that I'm off of the medication, I'm having difficulty losing the weight again.
3.7Patient Review
2/9/2017 Seizures have stopped since I've been taking this medication at the maximum dosage for adults. However, I have experienced some hair loss and weight gain since beginning treatment 28 years ago.
3.3Patient Review
1/6/2013 I didn't notice any effects at first, but after about a month I started to feel better.
3Patient Review
8/30/20122.7Patient Review
5/5/2013 I really don't enjoy being sick, and I hope to never have to experience this again.
2.7Patient Review
8/14/20122.3Patient Review
5/14/2015 I was prescribed this medication, alongside Cipralex (escitalopram), by my psychiatrist for depression. I have since stopped taking both but while I was on them, I felt very uncomfortable. I was also more mentally unstable; aggressive and lethargic. While escitalopram isn't listed as one of the drugs it can react with, I would still say to be careful with it. At the time I was under 18, approximately 130lbs, and 5'2".
2Patient Review
7/16/2014 It's not bad.
Patient Q&A Section about valproic acid
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What are the long term side effects of valproic acid?
"While there is no evidence that valproic acid will cause gradual damage to the liver, there is a very rare disorder of the pancreas that can be caused by valproic acid. This disorder is occasionally so severe that it can cause bleeding and death."
Answered by AI
Why is valproic acid a hazardous drug?
"Valproic acid can Cause serious birth defects, especially affecting the brain and spinal cord, as well as lower intelligence, problems with movement and coordination, learning, communication, emotions, and behavior in babies exposed to valproic acid before birth."
Answered by AI
What is valproic acid used for?
"Valproic acid is a prescription drug used to treat bipolar disorder, prevent migraines, and treat epilepsy. It comes in the form of capsules or tablets."
Answered by AI
Is valproic acid same as Depakote?
"Valproate products are medications that are used to treat seizures. These products are very similar to each other and should not be switched without a healthcare provider's permission."
Answered by AI