Talk:Valproic acid

IQ study...

heres the link if someone wants to put the proper tag in http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/tb/5386 and the info

Primary source: American Academy of Neurology 2007 Annual Meeting

Source reference: Meador KJ et al. "Cognitive Outcomes at 2 Years Old in Children of Women with Epilepsy Differ as Function of In Utero Antiepileptic Drug." Abstract S45.003, presented May 3.

Formulations

Surely the brand names listed under formulations needs a bit of expansion? How can you tell if it's not just one formulation made in different places with different names for different markets?

Orfiril

I added a comment about Orfiril being a Valproic acid product (and forwarded the 'Orfiril' page to this), but I'm not sure whether it's a Sodium valproate, Divalproex Sodium or maybe something else so I just put it as a note in there. If someone knows what sort of Valproic acid it is, I think it should be put in the same paragraph as the description of it. njh

Orfiril is (and redirects now to) Sodium valproate. Colin°^Talk 08:11, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

Depakote?

Shouldn't Depakote be added as a fomulation that contains valproic acid?

From wikipedia itself:

Valproate semisodium From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Depakote) Jump to: navigation, search Valproate semisodium (INN) or divalproex sodium (USAN) consists of a compound of sodium valproate and valproic acid in a 1:1 molar relationship in an enteric coated form. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jaerik (talk • contribs) 00:10, 22 May 2006 UTC.

Depakote is (and redirects to) valproate semisodium, which has separate licencing, indications, pricing and capsule-formulation than either sodium valproate or valproic acid. To add Depakote to this article would only add to the confusion by the manufacturers having similar names for similar products. This article does mention the related drugs so the reader can discover the relationship between them. Colin°^Talk 08:11, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

Surely the active component is the valpro- bit, whether it is as a hydrogenated acid (excuse my clumsiness of terminology), or a sodium salt is immaterial for all its important stuff (i.e. how it works). Sure molecular weight, solubility and licensing will vary, but it is the "valpro-" which acts as the anticonvulsant and has all the associated pregnancy risks ? I'm minded therefore to formally propose mergers with suitable merge-tags (of course article can specify nuiance of licensing & brand names). Likewise we have just single artilces of Beclometasone dipropionate, Cromoglicate. David Ruben ^Talk 14:52, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Sorry for being a year too late, but yes, all valproates are comparable. The solubility is the main difference between the acid, sodium salt and divalproex, but doesn't really matter that much since nowadays, most of the peroral galenics are enteric-coated at least, if not extended-release; therefore the main site of absorption is the gut, where the pH is sufficiently high (about 7 - 8) for the VPA to be dissociated to valproate anion, which is highly water-soluble. Also, pharmacodynamics and side-effects (maybe with the exception of better gastrointestinal tolerability of some XR-formulations) of valproates are alike, since systematically, it's the same no matter whether administered as VPA, Na-VPA or Na-DiVPA. Hope this would be helpful in any way, cheers --84.163.113.105 (talk) 18:23, 7 June 2009 (UTC)

Ammonium toxicity?

The article states: "Valproic acid also causes hyperammonemia." The article on Lithium pharmacology states: "An increasing number of scientists have come to the conclusion that the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate is the key factor in understanding how lithium works" (citation needed), but without specifying in what way: does it potentiate it or antagonize it? Given that one of the main actions of glutamine is to reduce ammonia in the blood and brain, is there a significant connection here? The two are often prescribed together. If antagonism is the effect, would glutamine supplementation be appropriate when taking these two drugs together? Carusus 10:31, 24 September 2007 (UTC)

Hyperammonaemia is a side effect of valproate medication, caused by its interference with amino acid metabolism. Lithium does modulate glutamergic transmissions in the CNS in a complex way. These two effects have nothing to do one with another. Glutamate supplementation wouldn't be reasonable in my opinion, since normal nutrition provides enough glutamate.--84.163.107.30 (talk) 03:02, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

About Valproic Acid

Valproic acid, as I have read causes Hepatic toxicity. But I haven't really read anything about whether or not it is suitable for child use. Is it ok for a 3 or 4 year old child to use Valproic acid for treatment of Epilepsy? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.170.95.210 (talk) 04:21, 16 April 2008 (UTC)

Valproates are the drugs of choice for many if not most childhood seizure disorders, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (the symptoms of which usually start before the age of six), and are widely used in young children. You should really talk to your pediatrician about any safety concerns; Wikipedia is not the place to seek advice on health matters. Best, Fvasconcellos (t·c) 15:18, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

Is Valprocic acid considered a psycholic drug? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.216.123.107 (talk) 14:24, 14 June 2008 (UTC)

Need to clarify medical terms so laymen can understand

In this and other Wikipedia medical articles, there should be more attention paid to clarifying what medical terms mean in ordinary English to maximize the usefulness of an article. This is not a medical text, this is a general Web site. Please translate complex technical terms in addition to providing links to other articles.

Why are the indications listed also as "absolute contraindications"?

Why? Azu Mao (talk) 18:45, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

== In Contraindications, Adverse Effects section should be added on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in pre-menarche girls.

Valparin

I have added Valparin, as one of the commectial names. When I use Valparin in the search window, it does bring up this same page. Please check for veracity. Several documents also mention that one of the commercial names of Valproic acid is Valparin.

--C.R.Selvakumar (talk) 20:05, 29 April 2011 (UTC)

Sorry; we have a spam list for a reason. Trying to circumvent it to add commercial links isn't going to work. I've removed the links and would encourage you not to add them again. Thanks. Keepcalmandcarryon (talk) 20:49, 29 April 2011 (UTC)