TLDR Sodium valproate is effective in treating epilepsy, especially in patients who don't respond to other medications.
The sodium valproate (VPA), derived from valeric acid from the plant "Valeriana officinalis," has been used since 1963 as an anticonvulsant. A clinical study by Jevson and Clark in 1974 on 63 patients, 40 of whom had not responded to other anticonvulsants, found that VPA completely stopped epilepsy in 43% of the patients and reduced attacks by 50% in 22% of the patients. A noted side effect was temporary hair loss. VPA has since become widely used to treat various types of seizures and epilepsy syndromes, especially in patients who are resistant to other medications.
47 citations,
March 2019 in “Journal of immunology research” Valproic Acid could potentially be used to treat immune-related conditions due to its ability to modify immune cell functions.
65 citations,
July 2013 in “International Clinical Psychopharmacology” Mood stabilizers like lithium and anticonvulsants have side effects that can lead to patients stopping their medication, and managing these effects is important for treatment adherence.
11 citations,
February 2007 in “Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing” Combining mood stabilizers with antipsychotics is more effective for treating children with bipolar disorder than using mood stabilizers alone.
January 2014 in “Side effects of drugs annual” Exposure to certain sex hormones can increase health risks, while some hormone therapies may offer benefits for specific conditions.
19 citations,
September 2020 in “Pharmaceutics” Sodium Valproate nanospanlastics could be a safe and effective treatment for Androgenic Alopecia, with fewer side effects than minoxidil.
