Can we develop improved derivatives of valproic acid?

Meir Bialer*, Abdullah Haj-Yehia, Khalil Badir, Salim Hadad

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Valproic acid is one of the major antiepileptic drugs. In animal models, valproate showed less anticonvulsant potency than the other three established antiepileptic drugs: phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine. In addition, two major side-effects, teratogenicity and hepatotoxicity, have been associated with valproate Iherapy. Due to the above and the shortage of new antiepileptic drugs there is a substantial need to develop improved derivatives of valproate. This paper analyses three kinds of valproate derivatives: valpromide, the primary amide of valproate, and its analogues; monoester prodrugs of valproate and an active metabolite of valproate, 2-n-propyl-2-pentenoate. The comparative evaluation was carried out by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses in animals. From the data accumulated so far, we can conclude that 2-n-propyl-2-pentenoatc and/or a valpromide isomer, which does not undergo amide acid biotransformation and preferably is not an epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, may prove to be improved derivatives of the parent compound valproic acid.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2-6
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1994

Keywords

  • 2-n-Propyl-2-pentenoic acid
  • Drug evaluation
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Structure-activity relationship
  • Valproic acid
  • Valpromide

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