Valproic Acid (Depakene): A New Anticonvulsant Agent

Valproic acid was introduced as a new anticonvulsant agent, particularly effective for absence seizures, and showed improvement in tonic-clonic seizures, mixed absence with tonic-clonic seizures, 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 were reported in about 20% of patients, with gastrointestinal disturbances and drowsiness being the most common, especially when used with other anticonvulsants. Hair loss was a less frequent side effect. These adverse effects were generally temporary and did not necessitate stopping the medication.