Valproate is a drug that is classified as an anticonvulsant medication and thus is typically prescribed to control seizures.
It is also prescribed at times to prevent migraine headaches and to decrease manic episodes in bipolar disorder.
Some physicians also prescribe it to treat thechallenging behaviorsinAlzheimer’s diseaseand other types of dementia.
NIH / Pillbox
Valproate products include valproate sodium, divalproex sodium (Depakote and Depakote ER), and valproic acid.
It can be difficult to know how to respond to these types of behaviors and emotions.
The bottom line is that there is generally not a highly effective medication to treat behavioral disturbances in dementia.
Thus, valproate rose as a contender in the attempt to treat agitation in dementia.
Should Valproate Be Used?
According to multiple research studies, the answer generally is: No.
It is often ineffective.
Finally, recognize that caregiver stress and burnout can exacerbate the behaviors of someone with dementia.
Monitor yourself forsigns of caregiver overloadand use family, friends andcommunity resourcesto support you in your caregiver role.
Rexulti is the first and only FDA-approved drug for this indication.
Unfortunately, we have yet to find a consistently safe and effective medication for this purpose.
National Institutes of Health.Managing Personality and Behavior Changes in Alzheimer’s.
Kales HC, Gitlin LN, Lyketsos CG.Assessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.BMJ.
2015;350:h369.
2018;10:CD003945.
Tariot PN, Schneider LS, Cummings J.Chronic Divalproex Sodium to Attenuate Agitation and Clinical Progression of Alzheimer Disease.
2017;98(4):805-807. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2016.11.002
Food and Drug Administration.Rexulti label.
ClinicalTrials.gov.Valproate in Dementia (VALID).
July 6, 2010.
JAMA Psychiatry.Chronic Divalproex Sodium to Attenuate Agitation and Clinical Progression of Alzheimer Disease.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
2009 Jul 8;(3).Valproate Preparations for Agitation in Dementia.
US Food and Drug Administration.Valproate Information.
Williams, L.All Worked Up About the Evidence: Valproate for Agitation in Dementia.
