Valproate
Also called valproic acid, n-DPA, DPA and dipropylacetic acid.
An anticonvulsant used for epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraine prevention. It carries strict restrictions in pregnancy.
Sources and notes
- The introductionfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Other namesfrom sourceWikidataIts English label and aliases on Wikidata.
- Formula and weightcomputedPubChem
- 2D drawingcomputedPubChem structure, drawn by RDKit
- 3D modelfrom sourcePubChem 3D conformerLoaded after the page has painted, and on a phone only when you ask for it; the 2D drawing shows until it arrives.
Where you encounter it
Dispensed on prescription, not sold on a shelf. Valproate on the product labels we hold.
Medicines
Every product and list we hold
Sources and notes
- The product labels and their strengthsfrom sourceDailyMed (FDA label)Each label lists the molecule as an ingredient, and an active ingredient at the strength shown.
- How it gets therefrom sourceMoleculeFinder curatedEach mark is set by hand on our lists, never inferred; a label's ingredient is added by the maker. A row with no mark data says Not marked.
- The line abovefrom sourceMoleculeFinder curatedFrom the group the molecule belongs to.
Explore its structure
Choose a part to light it up.
A carbon carrying both a C=O and an O-H, written COOH. In water it gives up that hydrogen, which is what makes the molecule an acid.
From: standard chemistry.
Sources and notes
- The drawingcomputedPubChem structure, drawn by RDKitThe page's one shipped drawing, with the chosen part lit in amber under it.
- The partscomputedFound by ruleEach part is found by a chemical pattern, never picked by hand atom by atom; its words say where they come from.
Properties and sources
Calculated by PubChem
- Molecular formula
- C8H16O2
- Molecular weight
- 144.21 g/mol
- XLogP3octanol/water, log units
- 2.8
- Polar surface areatopological
- 37.3 Ų
- H-bond donors
- 1
- H-bond acceptors
- 2
- Rotatable bonds
- 5
- Complexity
- 93
Measured LD50, HSDB via PubChem
1,098 mg/kg pure valproate, mouse, oral
An LD50 is an animal study measurement, not a dose for a person.
Reported Hazard label (GHS), ECHA via PubChem
Danger Corrosive pictogram (GHS05), Irritant pictogram (GHS07) and Health hazard pictogram (GHS08); hazard statements H302, H315, H318, H319, H335, H360
Reported Licence
The US Food and Drug Administration licenses Valproate for human use (NDA 018723, authorized March 10, 1983), as Depakote. Drugs@FDA
Groups it belongs to
- Category
- Prescription medicine
- Family
- Anticonvulsants
- Chemical groups
- Carboxylic Acids
- Hazard classes
- Corrosive, Irritant, Health hazard, GHS Danger
CCCC(CCC)C(=O)OPubChem CID 3121 · Wikidata Q240642 · InChIKey NIJJYAXOARWZEE-UHFFFAOYSA-N · Data refreshed
Questions
- What is Valproate?
- An anticonvulsant used for epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraine prevention. It carries strict restrictions in pregnancy.
- How toxic is Valproate?
- The reported LD50 of Valproate is 1,098 mg/kg (mouse, oral). An LD50 is an animal study measurement, not a dose for a person. Its GHS hazard label carries the signal word Danger and the hazard pictograms Corrosive, Irritant and Health hazard. from sourcefrom source
- What kind of molecule is Valproate?
- Valproate has the formula C8H16O2 and a molecular weight of 144.21 g/mol. MoleculeFinder files it under anticonvulsants, in the prescription medicine group. from sourcefrom sourcefrom sourcefrom source
- What else is Valproate called?
- Valproate is also called valproic acid, n-DPA, DPA and dipropylacetic acid. from source
- Who licenses Valproate as a medicine?
- The US Food and Drug Administration licenses Valproate for human use (NDA 018723, authorized March 10, 1983), as Depakote. from source
Sources and notes
- Calculated valuescomputedPubChemComputed from the structure, so no laboratory conditions apply; complexity is PubChem's own structural score.
- LD50from sourceHSDB via PubChemOther values the sources report: guinea pig, oral, 824 mg/kg; mouse, another route, 470 mg/kg; mouse, another route, 860 mg/kg. The page shows the one LD50 the site uses everywhere.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA via PubChemThe label combines these classifications.
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Licencefrom sourceDrugs@FDARead 2026-10-21.
- Data refreshedfrom sourceMoleculeFinder2026-11-09
Keep exploring
Sources and notes
- Similar in shapecomputedRDKit Morgan/TanimotoNeighbours by structural fingerprint; the sentence names the chemical groups the two share.
- The drawingscomputedPubChem structures, drawn by RDKit