January 2024 in “Specialty journal of Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry and Biotechnology” This study highlights that the evidence linking valproic acid to specific genetic variants is limited, unlike other antiseizure medications such as carbamazepine and phenytoin.
March 2025 in “Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal” This observational study found that while 96.6% of patients using valproic acid showed the expected clinical response, over half experienced adverse reactions like weight gain, hair loss, and hepatotoxicity, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches to minimize these side effects.
October 2024 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” This study found that in patients with genetic generalized epilepsies, certain gene variants were linked to differences in valproic acid treatment outcomes, including a higher likelihood of treatment failure, varying serum drug concentrations, and specific side effects like weight gain and hair loss.
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January 2016 in “Bipolar Disorder” This article reviews the uses, mechanisms, and side effects of valproate in treating bipolar disorder, noting its first-line status for several manic conditions but also highlighting serious risks such as fetal abnormalities.
20 citations
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December 2011 in “Journal of inherited metabolic disease” This study found that valproic acid may interfere with the leucine metabolic pathway by inhibiting 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase and biotinidase, which could contribute to side effects like skin rash and hair loss in patients.