Clinical Significance

Valproic Acid is a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant drug used solely or in combination with other anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of absence seizures. It also has demonstrated effectiveness in the management of generalized tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures, as well as atypical absence, simple and complex partial and mixed grand mal and petit mal seizures. The capability of treating many types of seizures with a single anticonvulsant has resulted in the wide-spread use of valproic acid, particularly in children in whom tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures are most prevalent. Valproic acid has proven effective in the treatment of many patients otherwise refractory to other anticonvulsant treatments. Most patients receiving valproic acid do not develop a tolerance to its anticonvulsant effects.