Valproic acid: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:12, 6 February 2014

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

For patient information about Valproate acid, click here

Synonyms / Brand Names: Depacon^®

Overview

Valproic acid (VPA, Valproate), an acidic chemical compound, has found clinical use as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and, less commonly, major depression. It is also used to treat migraine headaches. VPA is a liquid at room temperature, but it can be reacted with a base such as sodium hydroxide to form the salt sodium valproate, which is a solid. The acid, salt, or a mixture of the two (valproate semisodium) are marketed under the various brand names Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depakine, Depakine Crono (extended release in Spain), Depacon, Dépakine, Valparin, and Stavzor.

Approved uses of the various formulations vary by country; e.g., valproate semisodium is used as a mood stabilizer and also in the US as an anticonvulsant.

VPA is a histone deacetylase inhibitor and is under investigation for treatment of HIV and various cancers.^[1]

FDA Package Insert

Mechanism of Action

Valproate is believed to affect the function of the neurotransmitter GABA in the human brain, making it an alternative to lithium salts in treatment of bipolar disorder. Its mechanism of action includes enhanced neurotransmission of GABA (by inhibiting GABA transaminase, which breaks down GABA). However, several other mechanisms of action in neuropsychiatric disorders have been proposed for valproic acid in recent years.^[2]

Valproic acid also blocks voltage-gated sodium channels and T-type calcium channels. These mechanisms make valproic acid a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant drug.

Valproic acid is an inhibitor of the enzyme histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), hence it is a histone deacetylase inhibitor.

References

↑ PMID 22318143 (PMID 22318143)
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↑ PMID 17514356 (PMID 17514356)
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[1] PMID 22318143 (PMID 22318143)
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[2] PMID 17514356 (PMID 17514356)
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[1]

[2]

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-#REDIRECT [[Valproate]]
+__NOTOC__
+{{Valproate acid}}
+{{Main|Valproate}}
+{{CMG}}
+'''''For patient information about Valproate acid, click [[Valproic Acid (patient information)|here]]'''''
+{{SB}} Depacon<sup>®</sup>
+==Overview==
+'''Valproic acid''' ('''VPA, Valproate'''), an [[acid]]ic [[chemical compound]], has found clinical use as an [[anticonvulsant]] and [[mood stabilizer|mood-stabilizing]] [[medication|drug]], primarily in the treatment of [[epilepsy]], [[bipolar disorder]], and, less commonly, [[major depressive disorder|major depression]]. It is also used to treat [[migraine headache|migraine]] [[headache]]s. VPA is a liquid at room temperature, but it can be reacted with a base such as sodium hydroxide to form the salt [[sodium valproate]], which is a solid. The acid, salt, or a mixture of the two ([[valproate semisodium]]) are marketed under the various brand names Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depakine, Depakine Crono (extended release in Spain), Depacon, Dépakine, Valparin, and Stavzor.
+Approved uses of the various formulations vary by country; e.g., valproate semisodium is used as a mood stabilizer and also in the US as an anticonvulsant.
+VPA is a [[histone deacetylase inhibitor]] and is under investigation for treatment of HIV and  various cancers.<ref>{{cite pmid|22318143}}</ref>
+==FDA Package Insert==
+'''  [[Valproate acid indications and usage|Indications and Usage]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid dosage and administration|Dosage and Administration]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid dosage forms and strengths|Dosage Forms and Strengths]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid contraindications|Contraindications]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid warnings and precautions|Warnings and Precautions]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid adverse reactions|Adverse Reactions]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid drug interactions|Drug Interactions]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid use in specific populations|Use in Specific Populations]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid overdosage|Overdosage]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid description|Description]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid clinical pharmacology|Clinical Pharmacology]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid nonclinical toxicology|Nonclinical Toxicology]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid clinical studies|Clinical Studies]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid how supplied storage and handling|How Supplied/Storage and Handling]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid patient counseling information|Patient Counseling Information]]'''
+'''| [[Valproate acid labels and packages|Labels and Packages]]'''
+==Mechanism of Action==
+Valproate is believed to affect the function of the [[neurotransmitter]] [[GABA]] in the human brain, making it an alternative to [[Lithium pharmacology|lithium salt]]s in treatment of bipolar disorder. Its mechanism of action includes enhanced neurotransmission of GABA (by inhibiting [[GABA transaminase]], which breaks down GABA). However, several other mechanisms of action in neuropsychiatric disorders have been proposed for valproic acid in recent years.<ref>{{cite pmid|17514356}}</ref>
+Valproic acid also blocks [[voltage-gated sodium channel]]s and [[T-type calcium channels]]. These mechanisms make valproic acid a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant drug.
+Valproic acid is an [[Enzyme inhibitor|inhibitor]] of the [[enzyme]] [[histone deacetylase 1]] (HDAC1), hence it is a [[histone deacetylase inhibitor]].
+==References==
+{{Reflist|2}}
+[[Category:Antimigraine drugs]]
+[[Category:Anticonvulsants]]