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Depakote (divalproate)
Depakote (divalproate) is a Anticonvulsant / Mood stabilizer Small molecule drug developed by Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.. It is currently FDA-approved for Epilepsy (seizure disorders), Bipolar disorder (acute mania), Migraine prophylaxis.
Divalproate increases brain GABA levels and inhibits histone deacetylase, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission and altering gene expression.
Divalproate increases brain GABA levels and inhibits histone deacetylase, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission and altering gene expression. Used for Epilepsy (seizure disorders), Bipolar disorder (acute mania), Migraine prophylaxis.
At a glance
| Generic name | Depakote (divalproate) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. |
| Drug class | Anticonvulsant / Mood stabilizer |
| Target | GABA metabolism; histone deacetylase inhibition |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology / Psychiatry |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Divalproate (the sodium salt of valproic acid) works through multiple mechanisms: it increases GABA synthesis and reduces GABA catabolism, thereby enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Additionally, it inhibits histone deacetylase enzymes, leading to increased histone acetylation and altered gene expression patterns. These combined effects stabilize neuronal membranes and reduce neuronal excitability.
Approved indications
- Epilepsy (seizure disorders)
- Bipolar disorder (acute mania)
- Migraine prophylaxis
Common side effects
- Tremor
- Nausea
- Sedation/somnolence
- Weight gain
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Thrombocytopenia
- Hepatotoxicity
- Pancreatitis
Key clinical trials
- Bioequivalence Study of Sodium Divalproate Tablets 500 mg (PHASE4)
- Immunological and Viral Parameters in Patients Receiving Anti-epileptic Drugs (NA)
- Safety Study of Sodium Divalproate in Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents (PHASE3)
- Abilify in Bipolar Disorder for 24 Weeks Treatment Effectiveness (PHASE4)
- Abilify in Bipolar Disorder for 6 Weeks Treatment Effectiveness (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Depakote (divalproate) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Depakote (divalproate) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Depakote (divalproate)
What is Depakote (divalproate)?
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Who makes Depakote (divalproate)?
What drug class is Depakote (divalproate) in?
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What does Depakote (divalproate) target?
Related
- Drug class: All Anticonvulsant / Mood stabilizer drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting GABA metabolism; histone deacetylase inhibition
- Manufacturer: Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Neurology / Psychiatry
- Indication: Drugs for Epilepsy (seizure disorders)
- Indication: Drugs for Bipolar disorder (acute mania)
- Indication: Drugs for Migraine prophylaxis
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing