Valproic Acid (Depakene)

Valproic acid, introduced as a new anticonvulsant 47 years ago, was found to be most effective for absence seizures and showed improvement in tonic-clonic, mixed absence with tonic-clonic, and myoclonic epilepsy. It could be used alone or with other anticonvulsants, potentially allowing for reduced dosages of the latter. Some patients unresponsive to other treatments responded to valproic acid. Adverse reactions occurred in about 20% of patients, with gastrointestinal issues and drowsiness being most common, especially when combined with other anticonvulsants, while hair loss was less frequent. These effects were generally temporary and did not necessitate stopping the drug.