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Valproic acid (2-propylvaleric acid) - Depakene®                                                                                                                                                                     

A clear liquid fatty acid at room temperature. Valproate is believed to affect the function of the neurotransmitter GABA (as a GABA transaminase inhibitor) in the human brain, making it an alternative to lithium salts in treatment of bipolar disorder. In addition to blocking transamination of GABA, Valproate is believed to reverse the transamination process to form more GABA. Hence, Valproate indirectly acts as a GABA agonist. However, several other mechanisms of action in neuropsychiatric disorders have been proposed for valproic acid in recent years.[4]

Valproic acid also blocks the voltage-gated sodium channels and T-type Calcium channels. These mechanisms make Valproic Acid a Broad Spectrum Anticonvulsant drug.