Valproate in psychiatric disorders: literature review and clinical guidelines

A growing literature suggests that the anticonvulsant medication valproate may be effective and well tolerated in the acute and prophylactic treatment of some mood and psychotic disorders, particularly the manic phase of bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. Valproate may sometimes be effective even in those patients who have not responded to conventional somatic therapies. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics, neurologic uses, and side effects of valproate, discusses the drug's efficacy in the treatment of primary psychiatric disorders, and presents clinical guidelines for the use of valproate.