Clinical Significance

Valproic acid (VPA; 2‑propylpentanoic acid; Depakene) is a relatively new anticonvulsant medication which is used chiefly for the treatment of primary and secondary generalized seizures but is also effective against absence seizures. It is particularly effective in myoclonus and is the drug of choice in photosensitive epilepsy. Although VPA is used in conjunction with other anti‑epileptic medications, more recent studies have shown benefits of converting treatment to monotherapy with VPA. Also, a growing body of evidence suggests that VPA is useful in the treatment of affective disorders; in particular, lithium‑insensitive bipolar disorders. 

_{Source: Roche Cobas VALP2 Method Sheet Version 5.0 2023-02}