Valproic Acid: Valproic acid's adverse effects include weight gain and GI disturbances such as nausea and vomiting, as well as alopecia, tremor, and easy bruising, most probably owing to its effects on coagulation
Valproic acid (VPA) is a branched short-chain fatty acid derived from naturally occurring valeric acid
It came to the market in 1978, and since then its use has broadened to include the treatment of bipolar and schizoaffective disorders, neuropathic pain, and
We report that valproic acid activates Wntdependent gene expression, similar to lithium, the mainstay of therapy for bipolar disorder
Among these, the association of atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) with mood stabilizers is recurrent in the treatment of acute phases, but it is also being growingly Valproic acid and Lithium both appear to have a longer survival curve between mood episodes (longer length of time before another mood episode occurs) when compared to olanzapine or other second generation antipsychotics that are indicated for mood stabilization
Although VPA is not generally indicated for treatment in schizophrenia or treatment-resistant schizophrenia, an extensive off-label use has been
Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy may occur in people with normal liver
6 mg/kg/day every 1 to 2 weeks until optimal response is achieved
Although it varies among patients, this blood level is achieved with an average dose of 1000–2500 mg/day
Her recent lab test from yesterday shows a valproic acid level of 10 (therapeutic level is 50-100mg/dl)