Anti-teratogenic potential and curtailing toxicity of valproic acid

Abstract

VPA has become one of the most widely prescribed antiepileptic drugs worldwide in the management of long-term epilepsy, as well as controlling several neurological disorders including tonic-clonic seizures, idiopathic generalized seizures, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and childhood absence seizures and migraines.1,2 Valproic acid, VPA (2-n-propylpentanoic acid, C8H15NaO2, MW-166.19) a branched short-chain fatty acid derived from naturally occurring valeric acid was first synthesized in 1882.3 It is known teratogenic agent for women of childbearing age and classified as a Type Dcategory indicating that human fetal risk has been documented but the use of the drug may still be warranted.4