Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government

valproic acid

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.
Synonym:Stavzor
valproate
US brand name:Depakene
Chemical structure:2-propylpentanoic acid
2-propylvaleric acid
di-n-propylacetic acid
NSC code:93819
Search NCI's Drug Dictionary