VALPROIC ACID
Flammability | 1 | |
Toxicity | 2 | |
Body Contact | 2 | |
Reactivity | 1 | |
Chronic | 3 | |
SCALE: Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Moderate=2 High=3 Extreme=4 |
Anticonvulsant; antiepileptic. Used in the treatment of various forms of epilepsy
including petit mal and in infantile spasms. Given as the acid or sodium salt. The action
of valproic acid may involve a modification of the behaviour of gamma- aminobutyric acid
(GABA) in the brain.
C8-H16-O2, (CH3CH2CH2)2CHCO2H, "acetic acid, dipropyl-", "acetic acid, 2-propyl-",
"acetic acid, 2-propyl-", "dipropylacetic acid", "di-n-propylacetic acid", "di-n-
propylacetic acid", "n-dipropylacetic acid", "n-dipropylacetic acid", n-DPA, n-DPA, "2-
propylpentanoic acid", "2-propylpentanoic acid", "2-propylvaleric acid", "2-propylvaleric
acid", "Abbott 44090", Depakene, Depakine, Epilim, Valproate, "anticonvulsant/
antiepileptic"
Harmful if swallowed.
Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual. Ingestion of low-molecular organic acid solutions may produce spontaneous hemorrhaging, production of blood clots, gastrointestinal damage and narrowing of the esophagus and stomach entry.
There is some evidence to suggest that this material can causeeye irritation and damage in some persons. Solutions of low-molecular weight organic acids cause pain and injuryto the eyes.
Skin contact is not thought to produce harmful health effects (as classified using animal models). Systemic harm, however, has been identified following exposure of animals by at least one other route and the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting. Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.
Inhalation of aerosols (mists, fumes), generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual. The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of vapors, fumes or aerosols, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.
There is some evidence that human exposure to the material may result in developmental toxicity. This evidence is based on animal studies where effects have been observed in the absence of marked maternal toxicity, or at around the same dose levels as other toxic effects but which are not secondary non-specific consequences of the other toxic effects. Exposure to the material for prolonged periods may cause physical defects in the developing embryo (teratogenesis). Several off-spring of eight pregnant women taking valproate as an antiepileptic drug were deformed - two babies had facial abnormalities and one baby had a heart lesion. When given by gavage to rats, 600 mg/kg was maternally toxic and produced 100% embryonic resorption. At 400 mg/kg 52% of all embryos were resorbed and 49% of survivors were malformed. Defects included ectrodactyly, hydronephrosis, cardiovascular defects, hypoplastic bladder, rib and vertebral defects. At 200 mg/kg, defects included hydronephrosis, cardiovascular abnormalities and rib defects (primarily wave ribs).