Valproic acid

Generic Name: Valproic acid

Brand Names: Depakene, Depakote, Epival

Drug Type: Small Molecule

Chemical Formula: C_₈H_₁₆O_₂

CAS Number: 99-66-1

Unique Ingredient Identifier: 614OI1Z5WI

Background: Valproic acid, or valproate, is an fatty acid derivative and anticonvulsant originally synthesized in 1881 by Beverly S. Burton. It enjoyed use as a popular organic solvent in industry and pharmaceutical manufacturing for nearly a century. In 1963, a serendipitous discovery was made by George Carraz during his investigations into the anticonvulsant effects o...

Indication: Indicated for:

1) Use as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in the management of complex partial seizures and simple or complex absence seizures.

2) Adjunctive therapy in the management of multiple seizure types that include absence seizures.

3) Prophylaxis of migraine headaches.

4) Acute management of mania associated with bipolar disorder.
...

Associated Conditions: Bipolar Disorder (BD), Complex Partial Seizure Disorder, Depressive Episodes, Migraine, Petit Mal Epilepsy, Seizure, multiple types, Acute Manic episode

Associated Therapies: -

Clinical Trials

Adjunctive Antipsychotic Helps Ease Symptoms of Depression

Lumateperone (Caplyta) added to existing antidepressants significantly improved depression symptoms in a phase III trial, with significant MADRS score improvement by day 43. Lumateperone, already approved for schizophrenia and bipolar depression, showed efficacy as early as day 8. The study involved 484 patients with major depressive disorder who had inadequate response to prior antidepressant therapy. Lumateperone also improved CGI-S and QIDS-SR-16 scores, with stable weight and BMI, and no notable changes in extrapyramidal symptoms. A supplemental new drug application for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder is expected by end of 2024.

hcplive.com

2 months ago

Topiramate, Pregabalin Reduce Headache Frequency, Intensity in Pediatric Migraine

A network meta-analysis by Omid Kohandel Gargari, MD, found that pregabalin and topiramate, with or without vitamin D3, reduced migraine frequency in children and adolescents. Other treatments like flunarizine, levetiracetam, riboflavin, amitriptyline, and cinnarizine also showed potential but required more studies. Combination therapies, especially with vitamin D3, showed significant benefits, though no treatments significantly improved quality of life or reduced attack duration. Adverse events were highest with amitriptyline, topiramate, and valproate.

neurosciencenews.com

3 months ago

Safer Epilepsy Treatment for Pregnant Women with Drug Combo

Rapamycin may counteract Sodium Valproate's harmful effects on fetal spinal cord development, allowing safer use during pregnancy for women with epilepsy, according to University of Queensland researchers.

drugs.com

3 months ago

Dad's Epilepsy Med Use Won't Harm His Kids: Study

A review finds no clear evidence that valproate, an anti-seizure drug, harms children when taken by fathers-to-be, challenging UK restrictions on its use.

drugs.com

3 months ago

Dad's Epilepsy Med, Valproate, Use Won't Harm His Kids: Study

A review finds no clear evidence that valproate, an anti-seizure drug, harms children when taken by men before conception, despite known risks in pregnant women. The study suggests current restrictions on valproate use in men may be unnecessary and could increase health risks.

Valproic acid

Adjunctive Antipsychotic Helps Ease Symptoms of Depression

Topiramate, Pregabalin Reduce Headache Frequency, Intensity in Pediatric Migraine

Safer Epilepsy Treatment for Pregnant Women with Drug Combo

Dad's Epilepsy Med Use Won't Harm His Kids: Study

Dad's Epilepsy Med, Valproate, Use Won't Harm His Kids: Study

Drug Development Updates