TLDR Valproic acid is effective but often causes side effects like weight gain and hair loss, so personalized treatment is needed.
This study investigated the clinical response and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with valproic acid (VPA) in 87 outpatients from two Indonesian hospitals. It found that 96.6% of patients showed the expected clinical response to VPA, with no significant factors affecting its effectiveness. However, more than half of the patients experienced ADRs, such as weight gain, hair loss, and hepatotoxicity. The study suggests that while VPA effectively controls disorders, an individualized approach is necessary to minimize ADRs, particularly for high-risk patients.
October 2024 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Genetic variants can affect valproic acid's effectiveness, side effects, and levels in epilepsy treatment.
3 citations,
June 2023 in “Medicines” Some antiseizure medications can cause reversible hair loss, with valproate, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine being the most common.
2 citations,
September 2021 in “Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental” Valproate can cause hair problems, but there are ways to manage them.
7 citations,
May 2021 in “Seizure” Some antiseizure medications can cause cosmetic problems like hair loss, excessive hair growth, acne, and gum overgrowth.
1 citations,
January 2017 in “Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research” Sodium valproate can cause reversible hair loss in some patients.
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.
November 2023 in “Children” Many pediatric epilepsy patients experience preventable severe adverse drug reactions, especially with certain medications and risk factors.
October 2024 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Genetic variants can affect valproic acid's effectiveness, side effects, and levels in epilepsy treatment.
4 citations,
January 2019 in “PubMed” Low dose valproate in epileptic children mainly causes weight gain and other non-life-threatening side effects.
110 citations,
August 2016 in “Drugs” Minoxidil is the only FDA-approved topical drug for treating male or female pattern hair loss, and other medications like finasteride and dutasteride can also increase hair growth.
