[Comparative study of valproic acid and sodium valproate (author's transl)]

The action of valproic acid prescribed instead of sodium valproate in strictly identical conditions was analysed in 11 epileptic children and 24 adults. No change in therapeutic effect was observed in a large proportion of cases. However, blood tests showed an increase in serum levels in most cases. Thus, valproic acid can be of help in cases hitherto treated with sodium valproate, on the same basis as diphenylhydantoin; the acid form sometimes offers an advantage over the use of the sodium salt.