TLDR Valproic acid is effective but often causes side effects like weight gain and hair loss, so personalized treatment is needed.
The study evaluated the effectiveness and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of valproic acid (VPA) in 87 outpatients from two Indonesian hospitals. It found that 96.6% of patients experienced the expected clinical response to VPA, but 57.47% experienced ADRs, including weight gain (31.03%), hair loss (16.09%), and hepatotoxicity (10.34%). The study highlights the need for an individualized approach to minimize ADRs and emphasizes monitoring hepatotoxicity. Genetic factors may influence these ADRs, and further research is needed to explore these links. Limitations include a non-randomly selected research location and single time-point data collection, suggesting the need for longitudinal studies.
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October 2024 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Genetic variants can affect valproic acid's effectiveness, side effects, and levels in epilepsy treatment.
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January 2019 in “PubMed” Low dose valproate in epileptic children mainly causes weight gain and other non-life-threatening side effects.
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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.
