Valproic Acid

USDailyMed:Valproic acid AU:D N03AG01(WHO) AU:S4(Prescription only)BR:Class C1(Other controlled substances)CA:℞-onlyUK:POM(Prescription only)US:℞-only 2-propylpentanoic acid 99-66-1Y 3121 7009 DB00313Y 3009Y 614OI1Z5WI D00399Y CHEBI:39867Y ChEMBL109Y 057177 DTXSID6023733 Interactive image O=C(O)C(CCC)CCC InChI=1S/C8H16O2/c1-3-5-7(6-4-2)8(9)10/h7H,3-6H2,1-2H3,(H,9,10)YKey:NIJJYAXOARWZEE-UHFFFAOYSA-NY Valproate(valproic acid,VPA,sodium valproate, andvalproate semisodiumforms) are medications primarily used to treatepilepsyand as amood stabilizerin the treatment ofbipolar disorder.They are useful for the prevention of seizures in those withabsence seizures,partial seizures, andgeneralized seizures.They can be givenintravenouslyor by mouth, and the tablet forms exist in both long- and short-acting formulations. Common side effects of valproate include nausea, vomiting,somnolence, and dry mouth.Serious side effects can includeliver failure, and regular monitoring ofliver function testsis therefore recommended.Other serious risks includepancreatitisand an increasedsuiciderisk. Valproate is known to cause serious abnormalities or birth defects in the fetus if taken duringpregnancy,and is contra-indicated for women of childbearing age unless the drug is essential to their medical condition and the person is also prescribed acontraceptive.Reproductive warnings have also been issued for men using the drug. Valproate is restricted in theUnited Kingdomfor both women and men under age 55 due toteratogenicityin pregnant women andfertility problemsin men.It is also restricted in theEuropean Union.TheUnited States Food and Drug Administrationhas indicated ablack box warninggiven the frequency and severity of the side effects and teratogenicity.Additionally, there is also a black box warning due to risk ofhepatotoxicityandpancreatitis. Valproate has been in use inJapanfor the prophylaxis of migraine since 2011.It is approved as an antimanic and antiseizure in Japan as well.In UK, valproate is approved for bipolar mania and epilepsy, and both valproate and divalproex are approved, although divalproex sodiumis known as valproate semisodium. Valproate's precise mechanism of action is unclear.Proposed mechanisms include affectingGABAlevels, blockingvoltage-gated sodium channels, inhibitinghistone deacetylases, and increasingLEF1.Valproic acid is a branchedshort-chain fatty acid(SCFA), aderivativeofvaleric acid. Valproate was originally synthesized in 1881 and came into medical use in 1962.It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.It is available as ageneric medication.In 2023, it was the 160th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3million prescriptions.