Valproic acid (
Depakene®) is a prescription medication used to control
seizures in people with
epilepsy. Specifically, the medication is approved to treat complex partial
seizures and simple or complex absence seizures.
Valproic acid is made by Abbott Pharmaceuticals.
How Does Valproic Acid Work?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that occurs when there are recurring, brief changes in the electrical system of the brain.
This change in brain activity can lead to a seizure
(see Epilepsy Symptoms).
Valproic acid works by increasing the amount of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA) in the brain. GABA is a natural brain chemical that stops or slows down other brain signals. Increasing GABA helps prevent the abnormal brain signals that lead to a seizure. The medication may also prevent seizures by affecting sodium channels in the brain.
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