Valproic acid: Difference between revisions
imported>Pierre-Alain Gouanvic (side effect: carnitine deficiency) |
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz (Uses in mood disorder and neurogenic pain; side effect of tremor) |
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'''Valproic acid''' is a medication that is "a [[fatty acid]] with anticonvulsant properties used in the treatment of [[epilepsy]]. The mechanisms of its therapeutic actions are not well understood. It may act by increasing [[gamma-aminobutyric acid]] levels in the [[brain]] or by altering the properties of voltage dependent sodium channels."<ref>{{MeSH}}</ref> | '''Valproic acid''' is a medication that is "a [[fatty acid]] with anticonvulsant properties used in the treatment of [[epilepsy]]; the sodium salt is used in treating [[mood disorders]]. It also is used for [[neurogenic pain]]. | ||
The mechanisms of its therapeutic actions are not well understood. It may act by increasing [[gamma-aminobutyric acid]] levels in the [[brain]] or by altering the properties of voltage dependent sodium channels."<ref>{{MeSH}}</ref> | |||
== Side effects == | == Side effects == | ||
Valproic acid causes [[carnitine]] deficiency. All patients under valproate therapy should have their carnitine status monitored. Since available tests are not reliable indicators of carnitine status in tissues, prophylactic carnitine therapy can be considered. Intravenous carnitine is markedly | Valproic acid causes [[carnitine]] deficiency. All patients under valproate therapy should have their carnitine status monitored. Since available tests are not reliable indicators of carnitine status in tissues, prophylactic carnitine therapy can be considered. Intravenous carnitine is markedly | ||
superior to oral; oral acetylcarnitine may be advantageously used as well, if the underlying disorder allows it. | superior to oral; oral acetylcarnitine may be advantageously used as well, if the underlying disorder allows it. | ||
Benign hand tremor is not infrequent as a side effect, and can be suppressed, if there are no contraindications to their use, with [[beta-adrenergic antagonist]]s. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 09:40, 28 June 2008
Valproic acid is a medication that is "a fatty acid with anticonvulsant properties used in the treatment of epilepsy; the sodium salt is used in treating mood disorders. It also is used for neurogenic pain.
The mechanisms of its therapeutic actions are not well understood. It may act by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in the brain or by altering the properties of voltage dependent sodium channels."[1]
Side effects
Valproic acid causes carnitine deficiency. All patients under valproate therapy should have their carnitine status monitored. Since available tests are not reliable indicators of carnitine status in tissues, prophylactic carnitine therapy can be considered. Intravenous carnitine is markedly superior to oral; oral acetylcarnitine may be advantageously used as well, if the underlying disorder allows it.
Benign hand tremor is not infrequent as a side effect, and can be suppressed, if there are no contraindications to their use, with beta-adrenergic antagonists.
External links
Valproic acid - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Valproic acid (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.