Pharmacologic Substance
valproic acid
val·pro·ic ac·id [ val-proh-ik ]
Effect:
Increased GABA Activity
May Prevent:
Migraine Disorders
May Treat:
Alzheimer Disease;
Bipolar Disorder;
Epilepsy;
Epilepsy, Absence;
Epilepsy, Complex Partial
More Information:
Definitions related to valproic acid:
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A drug used to treat epileptic seizures and bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches. It is also being studied in the treatment of several types of cancer. It blocks an enzyme that cells need to grow and may cause cancer cells to die. It also blocks the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow. It is a type of anticonvulsant, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, antimaniacal, migraine headache prophylactic, and antiangiogenesis agent.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A fatty acid with anticonvulsant and anti-manic properties that is used in the treatment of EPILEPSY and BIPOLAR DISORDER. The mechanisms of its therapeutic actions are not well understood. It may act by increasing GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID levels in the brain or by altering the properties of VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNELS.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A synthetic derivative of propylpentanoic acid with antiepileptic properties and potential antineoplastic and antiangiogenesis activities. In epilepsy, valproic acid appears to act by increasing the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This agent's antitumor and antiangiogenesis activities may be related to the inhibition of histone deacetylases and nitric oxide synthase, which results in the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis. (NCI04)NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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