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Drug

Valproic Acid

Approved · FDA
ClassSuccinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase inhibitorEmerging researchLate-stage development
Also known as 2-Propylpentanoic Acid, 2-Propylvaleric Acid, 2-n-propyl-n-valeric acid, 2-propyl-pentanoic acid+18 more

2-Propylpentanoic Acid, 2-Propylvaleric Acid, 2-n-propyl-n-valeric acid, 2-propyl-pentanoic acid, 4-heptanecarboxylic acid, DIVALPROEX, DPA, DPA - dipropylacetic acid, Depacon, Depakene, Depakote, Di-n-propylessigsäure, Dipropylacetic acid, Stavzor, VPA, Valproinsäure, acide valproïque, acidum valproicum, di-n-propylacetic acid, n-DPA, ácido valproico, divalproex sodium (as valproic acid).

RxNorm11118ChEMBLCHEMBL109ATCN03AG01UNII614OI1Z5WI
2
Research papers
8
Active clinical trials
ALDH5A1
Primary target
11
Regulatory events
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Randomized Phase 2 Study of Valproic Acid combinEd With Simvastatin and Gemcitabine/Nab-paclitaxel-based Regimens in Untreated Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Patients (The VESPA Trial).

Clinical trial2026-08-01Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Seizure Treatment in Glioma (STING): Comparing a Treatment Strategy with Levetiracetam Versus Treatment with Valproic Acid in Glioma Patients with a First Seizure

Clinical trial2026-07-01Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Supplemental approval: VALPROIC ACID (ANDA073229)

Regulatory2026-06-25FDA

A Phase I Trial of Bevacizumab, Temsirolimus Alone and in Combination With Valproic Acid, or Cetuximab in Patients With Advanced Malignancy and Other Indications

Clinical trial2026-05-08Terminated · ClinicalTrials.gov

A Randomized Phase ll Study of Adjuvant Sunitinib or Valproic Acid in High-Risk Patients With Uveal Melanoma

Clinical trial2026-03-16Results expected Q4 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

A Phase 1, 6-part, Open-label, Fixed-sequence Study to Evaluate the Effects of Lithium, Valproic Acid, and Lamotrigine on the Single-dose Pharmacokinetics of KarXT and Effects of KarXT on the Single-dose Pharmacokinetics of Lithium, Valproic Acid, and Lamotrigine in Healthy Participants

Clinical trial2026-01-23Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov

Randomized Phase 2 Study of Valproic Acid Combined With Rechallenge Anti-EGFR Based Regimen Regimens in Pretreated Patients With RAS/BRAF Wild-type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer - VICTORIA Trial

Clinical trial2025-12-17Results expected Q4 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

A phase 2 study of valproic acid and radiation, followed by maintenance valproic acid and bevacizumab in children with newly diagnosed diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma or high-grade glioma.

Research2020-04-14Pediatric blood & cancer

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) 2018 guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder.

Research2018-03-14Bipolar disorders

Label change: VALPROIC ACID (ANDA073229)

Regulatory2015-12-26FDA

Label change: VALPROIC ACID (ANDA073229)

Regulatory2015-12-26FDA

Label change: VALPROIC ACID (ANDA073229)

Regulatory2014-08-05FDA

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Valproic Acid
Aliases & brands
2-Propylpentanoic Acid2-Propylvaleric Acid2-n-propyl-n-valeric acid2-propyl-pentanoic acid4-heptanecarboxylic acidDIVALPROEXDPADPA - dipropylacetic acidDepaconDepakeneDepakoteDi-n-propylessigsäureDipropylacetic acidStavzorVPAValproinsäureacide valproïqueacidum valproicumdi-n-propylacetic acidn-DPAácido valproicodivalproex sodium (as valproic acid)
RxNorm CUI
11118
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL109
ATC codes
N03AG01
UNII
614OI1Z5WI
Primary mechanism
Succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor
Regulatory jurisdictions
fda

Pharmacology & targets

1 target

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

Succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, mitochondrial
ALDH5A1 · P51649
INHIBITORSuccinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor

Regulatory timeline

11 events

The complete regulatory record, grouped by authority — approvals, safety advisories and label changes. Each authority shows its most recent events; expand one to read its full history.

Earliest approval
1991-10-29
Latest approval
2026-06-25
Authorities
FDA
Total events
11
fdaU.S. Food and Drug Administration· 11 events
2026-06-25Supplemental approval
Supplemental approval: VALPROIC ACID (ANDA073229)
Evidence ↗
2015-12-26Label change
Label change: VALPROIC ACID (ANDA073229)
Evidence ↗
2015-12-26Label change
Label change: VALPROIC ACID (ANDA073229)
Evidence ↗

Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), public domain (CC0).

Clinical trials

119 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
119
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2026
8
Active studies
7
Recruiting
40
Late-stage (III+)
75
Completed
36
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 119
Early Phase 14Phase 129Phase 1 / 28Phase 238Phase 2 / 32Phase 315Phase 417Phase N / A6

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Seizure Treatment in Glioma (STING): Comparing a Treatment Strategy with Levetiracetam Versus Treatment with Valproic Acid in Glioma Patients with a First Seizure

RecruitingPH IVLeiden University Medical Centern=1202028

Valproate Versus Propranolol in Migraine, a Randomized Controlled Trial

RecruitingPH IVKafrelsheikh Universityn=6002024

The Efficacy and Safety of First-Line Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs) as Substitution Therapy in Children Who Are Resistant to Second-Line AEDs

Unknown statusPH IVDr Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospitaln=1002023

Bioequivalence Study of Sodium Divalproate Tablets 500 mg

CompletedPH IVTecnoquimicasn=302019

Valproic Acid for Treatment of Hyperactive or Mixed Delirium in ICU

TerminatedPH IVStanford Universityn=32018

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

A Phase 1, 6-part, Open-label, Fixed-sequence Study to Evaluate the Effects of Lithium, Valproic Acid, and Lamotrigine on the Single-dose Pharmacokinetics of KarXT and Effects of KarXT on the Single-dose Pharmacokinetics of Lithium, Valproic Acid, and Lamotrigine in Healthy Participants

CompletedPH IKaruna Therapeutics, Inc., a Bristol Myers Squibb companyn=1332026

Comparison Between Efficacy of Levetiracetam Versus Valproic Acid in Pediatric Patients With Status Epilepticus

CompletedN/ARESnTEC, Institute of Researchn=1382025

The LATENT Trial: Lytic Activation To Enhance Neoantigen-directed Therapy A Study to Evaluate the Feasibility and Efficacy of the Combined Use of Avelumab With Valproic Acid for the Treatment of Virus-associated Cancer

CompletedPH IIAHS Cancer Control Albertan=392025

Valproate Versus Topiramate in Migraine, a Randomized Controlled Trial

CompletedPH IIIKafrelsheikh Universityn=6002024

Multiple-dose, Randomized, Open-Label, Fasting, Two-period, Crossover, Bioavailability Study Between Orfiril Long 500 mg Prolonged-Release Minitablets and Ergenyl Chrono 500 mg Prolonged-Release Tablets in Healthy, Male Volunteers.

CompletedPH IDesitin Arzneimittel GmbHn=222023

Phase 2 Study of Sorafenib, Valproic Acid, and Sildenafil in the Treatment of Recurrent High-Grade Glioma

CompletedPH IIVirginia Commonwealth Universityn=472023

Research activity

2 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20182020
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • Bipolar disorders1
  • Pediatric blood & cancer1
Leading researchers
  • Adesina AM1
  • Alda M1
  • Baxter PA1
  • Beaulieu S1
  • Berk M1
  • Blaney SM1
  • Bond DJ1
  • Bowers DC1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Children's Medical Center/The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center1
  • Cook Children's Medical Center1
  • Dalhousie University1
  • Dan L Duncan Cancer Center1
  • Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Stanford University1
  • George Washington University1

Related drugs

4 matches

Drugs sharing diseases, protein targets and literature with this one. Ranked by graph evidence (shared targets + diseases weighted above co-mentions).

Bupropion

Studied across the same disease area as Valproic Acid in the shared literature.

1 shared disease1 shared paper
Lamotrigine

Studied across the same disease area as Valproic Acid in the shared literature.

1 shared disease1 shared paper
Olanzapine

Studied across the same disease area as Valproic Acid in the shared literature.

1 shared disease1 shared paper
Quetiapine Fumarate

Studied across the same disease area as Valproic Acid in the shared literature.

1 shared disease1 shared paper
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials
  • Regulatory event sources are credited in the Regulatory Timeline above.