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Absorption, distribution, and excretion

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Valproate

Part of the book series: Milestones in Drug Therapy ((MDT))

Abstract

Owing to its unique fatty acid structure, valproate exhibits a number of distinct pharmacokinetic characteristics in comparison to other aromatic and/or heterocyclic anticonvulsants. The pharmacokinetics of valproate have been the subject of regular reviews over the two decades of valproate’s usage as an anticonvulsant [1–4]. This chapter provides a summary of the salient features of the pharmacokinetics of valproate, and additionally, perspectives on emerging areas of investigation, such as the role of cell membrane barrier transport in governing the brain distribution of valproate and the biochemical basis of drug interactions between valproate and other anticonvulsants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Box 357610, H272 Health Sciences Building, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Danny D. Shen

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  1. Danny D. Shen
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  1. Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, Bldg. 225, D-30559, Hannover, Germany

    Wolfgang Löscher

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Shen, D.D. (1999). Absorption, distribution, and excretion. In: Löscher, W. (eds) Valproate. Milestones in Drug Therapy. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8759-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-8759-5_4

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9761-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-8759-5

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