[A retrospective study comparing two formulations of valproic acid]. / Estudio retrospectivo comparando dos formulaciones de ácido valproico.

INTRODUCTION: Valproic acid is available in two different presentations, Depakine and Depakine Crono. Equivalences in plasmatic levels, efficacy and adverse effects between these two formulations are not fully established. AIM: To compare plasmatic levels, efficacy and plasmatic levels between Depakine and Depakine Crono. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied a retrospective series of 238 patients in treatment with Depakine or Depakine Crono and compared plasmatic levels, efficacy and adverse effects between both formulations. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients had taken one formulation and 54 both. Plasmatic levels were similar in both groups. There were more significantly more patients free of seizures among the Depakine Crono group. Significantly better outcomes were seen with Depakine Crono with respect to secondary effects. Adverse effects are significantly less frequent in men than in women. The higher the dose, the higher the incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Depakine Crono seems to obtain similar plasmatic levels, is at least as efficacious and is associated with less adverse events that Depakine.

Estudio retrospectivo comparando dos formulaciones de ácido valproico / A retrospective study comparing two formulations of valproic acid

Introducción. El ácido valproico se presenta en dos formulaciones orales, Depakine ® (DP) y Depakine Crono ® (DPC).Existen dudas sobre la equivalencia de los niveles plasmáticos, la eficacia y los efectos secundarios de estas dos formulaciones. Objetivo. Comparar los niveles plasmáticos, la eficacia y los efectos secundarios de pacientes que toman una de las dos formulaciones orales en comprimidos de valproico disponibles en España. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo sobre un total de 238 episodios de pacientes que tomaban DP y DPC, que recoge datos sobre niveles plasmáticos, eficacia en el control de las crisis y la incidencia de los efectos secundarios y los compara por subgrupos de dosis, edad y sexo. Resultados. Un total de 173 pacientes había tomado una formulación y 54 ambas. Los niveles plasmáticos fueron similares en ambos grupos. En la población total el número de pacientes libres de crisis que tomaron DPC es significativamente mayor que con DP. El porcentaje de pacientes que sufren efectos secundarios es significativamente menor con DPC. La incidencia de efectos secundarios es significativamente menor en los varones que en las mujeres. A mayor dosis de medicación, mayor incidencia de efectos adversos. Conclusiones. DPC parece obtener niveles plasmáticos similares, es al menos tan eficaz y tiene un mejor perfil de inocuidad que DP (AU)

Introduction. Valproic acid is available in two different presentations, Depakine ® and Depakine Crono ®. Equivalences in plasmatic levels, efficacy and adverse effects between these two formulations are not fully established. Aim. To compare plasmatic levels, efficacy and plasmatic levels between Depakine and Depakine Crono. Patients and methods. We studied aretrospective series of 238 patients in treatment with Depakine or Depakine Crono and compared plasmatic levels, efficacy and adverse effects between both formulations. Results. A total of 173 patients had taken one formulation and 54 both. Plasmaticlevels were similar in both groups. There were more significantly more patients free of seizures among the Depakine Cronogroup. Significantly better outcomes were seen with Depakine Crono with respect to secondary effects. Adverse effects are significantly less frequent in men than in women. The higher the dose, the higher the incidence of adverse events. Conclusions. Depakine Crono seems to obtain similar plasmatic levels, is at least as efficacious and is associated with less adverse events that Depakine (AU)