A 6-Month Prospective Study on Efficacy, Safety, and Quality of Life Profiles of Extended-Release Formulation of Valproate in Patients with Epilepsy

In a 6-month prospective study involving 958 epilepsy patients, the extended-release (ER) formulation of valproate was evaluated for efficacy, safety, and quality of life impact. The study found that the ER valproate, used as initial or add-on therapy, significantly reduced seizure frequency by 88.3% from a baseline mean of 8.56 seizures per month, with patients taking a median maintenance dose of 750 mg per day. Quality of life improvements were noted in areas such as seizure worry, overall quality of life, and social function, although energy levels decreased. Early treatment side effects included drowsiness, dizziness, and anorexia, while weight gain, alopecia, and tremor were reported after 6 months. Overall, the ER valproate was shown to be effective in reducing seizures with good tolerance and enhanced quality of life for patients.