Is valproate and valproic acid the same
Lily Fisher
Published Feb 13, 2026
Sodium valproate and semisodium valproate are very similar to valproic acid. They work in the same way but these medicines are sometimes given at different doses for different conditions.
What's the difference between valproate and valproic acid?
Valproic acid and sodium valproate are two forms of the same medication. The only difference is in how they are prepared. These medicines are most commonly used in treating problems with the nervous system such as epilepsy, migraines and mood disorders.
Is Epival and valproic acid the same?
Valproic Acid (VPA) (Trade name: Epival) and Divalproex (DVP) are mood stabilizers and anti-epileptics used primarily to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Divalproex (DVP) is converted to valproic acid (VPA) in the gastrointestinal tract.
What is another name for valproic acid?
Valproic (val-PRO-ik) acid is the generic name (non-brand name) of a widely used type of seizure medicine. The brand-name form of valproic acid in the United States and Canada is Depakene. In the UK, it is Convulex. Brand names used in other countries include Depakine, Orfiril, Valporal, and Valprosid.Is Depakote and valproic acid the same thing?
A closely related medication, Depakene (valproic acid), comes in capsule and liquid form. Another variety of valproic acid, Stavzor, is no longer manufactured. In 2008, the FDA approved the first generic version of Depakote. Collectively, these medications are known as valproate products.
Is valproic acid the same as valproate Semisodium?
Are there similar medicines to valproic acid? Sodium valproate and semisodium valproate are very similar to valproic acid. They work in the same way but these medicines are sometimes given at different doses for different conditions.
What are the different forms of valproate?
Valproate is available clinically in a number of forms: these include sodium valproate alone, valproic acid alone, and sodium valproate in combination with valproic acid. In the UK, sodium valproate and valproic acid are available in enteric coated formulations, but this is not the case in the USA.
What type of medication is valproate?
Valproate is a mood stabilizer medication that works in the brain. It is approved for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), seizures (epilepsy), and migraine headaches. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and/or mania.Is valproate an antipsychotic?
Background. Many people with schizophrenia do not achieve a satisfactory treatment response with ordinary antipsychotic drug treatment. In these cases, various add‐on medications are used, and valproate is one of these.
What is Epival for?It is used to manage and control certain types of seizures. It can be used alone or in combination with other seizure control medications. It is also used for people 18 years of age and older with manic depression (bipolar disorder) to treat manic episodes.
Article first time published onIs valproic acid the same as Depakene?
Valproic acid is an antiepileptic used to treat various types of seizure disorders. Valproic acid is sometimes used together with other seizure medications. Valproic acid is available under the following different brand names: Depakene, Stavzor, and Depacon.
Which is safer lithium or Depakote?
Patients taking lithium had lower rates of self-harm and unintentional injury compared to those taking other bipolar drugs, such as valproate (Depacon, Depakote), olanzapine (Zyprexa) or quetiapine (Seroquel), said lead researcher Joseph Hayes.
Is valproic acid and SSRI?
Both, lithium and valproic acid are often combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), but also with mirtazapine und venlafaxine. Combinations of more than one antidepressant occur quite often, whereby combinations with bupropion, paroxetine, fluoxetine or fluvoxamine are very rare.
What is generic name for Depakote?
What Is Depakote? Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a stable coordination compound comprised of sodium valproate and valproic acid used to treat manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and migraine headaches. Generic Depakote (termed divalproex sodium) is available under several other names.
What is comparable to Depakote?
Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Depakote (divalproex sodium) are antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), also called anticonvulsants, used alone or in combination with other antiseizure medications for treating certain types of seizures.
What is valproic acid used for?
Valproic acid is used to treat certain types of seizures (epilepsy). This medicine is an anticonvulsant that works in the brain tissue to stop seizures.
Is Valproic Acid Safe?
Valproic acid may cause serious or life-threatening damage to the pancreas. This may occur at any time during your treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: ongoing pain that begins in the stomach area but may spread to the back nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
What is the brand name for sodium valproate?
Sodium valproate Brand names: Dyzantil, Epilim, Episenta, Epival.
Does valproate cause liver damage?
Multiple instances of fatal acute hepatic failure due to valproate have been published and valproate is regularly listed as a cause of drug induced acute liver failure. Liver histology is distinctive and reveals a microvesicular steatosis with central lobular necrosis, mild to moderate inflammation and cholestasis.
Is sodium valproate used for schizophrenia?
Sodium valproate, a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorders, is not an approved medication for schizophrenia. However, it has become the most frequently prescribed mood stabilizer for patients with schizophrenia, with lithium lagging far behind.
What happens if you give lithium to a schizophrenic?
In these cases, various add-on medications are used, among them lithium. Lithium stabilises a person’s mood and is used as an add-on treatment with antipsychotics for schizophrenia. Lithium can reduce mania and depression.
What are the four types of schizophrenia?
There are actually several different types of schizophrenia depending on the person’s symptoms, but generally, the main types of schizophrenia include paranoid schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, disorganized or hebephrenic schizophrenia, residual schizophrenia, and undifferentiated schizophrenia.
Is valproic acid in lamotrigine?
Introduction. Idiopathic Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures (GTCS) are frequently encountered in adults. Their successful control is necessary to improve the quality of life of these patients. Valproic acid is a simple branched-chain carboxylic acid and lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine derivative.
What drugs should not be taken with valproic acid?
Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline, phenelzine), certain antibiotics (carbapenems such as doripenem, imipenem), irinotecan, mefloquine, orlistat, other medications for seizure (e.g., ethosuximide, lamotrigine, phenytoin, rufinamide, …
Is valproic acid an antidepressant?
Valproic acid, beside its anticonvulsant action, is widely used as a mood stabilizer in the therapy of bipolar disorder. The potential antidepressant action of valproic acid has not been sufficiently characterized so far.
Is Epival safe?
Many patients can safely take Epival Tablet for a long time. Rarely, long-term use of Epival Tablet may weaken your bones, thereby increasing their chances of breaking easily (osteoporosis and osteopenia). If you are taking Epival Tablet for a long time, get regular check ups done for bone health.
Does Epival cause erectile dysfunction?
VPA-dependent obesity and hyperinsulinemia can further contribute to an increase in sexual dysfunctions. Conclusions: VPA interferes with the endocrine system at multiples levels causing several reproductive and sexual dysfunctions in women and men with epilepsy, especially when administered in pubertal age.
Is Epival a sedating?
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Divalproex may cause drowsiness, especially when combined with alcohol or another sedating medication.
What is another name for phenytoin?
Phenytoin (FEN-ih-toe-in) is the generic name (non–brand name) of a widely used seizure medicine. Common brand names for this type of medicine include Dilantin, Phenytek, and Epanutin (in the UK), but it is also sold using the name phenytoin or phenytoin sodium.
Which is better lithium or valproate?
Conclusions: Lithium and valproate were both effective in improving manic symptoms, and lithium was slightly more efficacious overall. Unlike the case with lithium, favorable response to valproate was associated with high pretreatment depression scores.
Does Depakote shorten lifespan?
Studies link Depakote and Depakote ER to serious side effects. These side effects can cause permanent disability and even death.