Sodium valproate + valproic acid

Sodium valproate and valproic acid are closely related anticonvulsant drugs primarily used to treat epilepsy (various seizure types), bipolar disorder (especially manic episodes), and for migraine prophylaxis. Both compounds are metabolized in the body to the active form—valproic acid—and act by increasing brain levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This is achieved through inhibition of GABA transaminase and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase enzymes. Additional mechanisms include blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels and histone deacetylase inhibition. The drugs were originally developed in the 20th century after their anticonvulsant properties were discovered serendipitously during pharmaceutical research[1][2][4][5].

Brand names

DepaconEpival

Other names

valproic acidvalproate sodiumdivalproex sodium