Sodium di-N-propylacetate (DPA) in the treatment of epilepsy. A review

Abstract

The literature on clinical and experimental studies of sodium dipropylacetate (DPA), a branched chain carboxylic acid with a unique antiepileptic structure, is critically reviewed. The clinical antiepileptic properties are evaluated by seizure type. DPA appears to be most efficacious in the treatment of absence seizures. The literature also provides evidence for efficacy in the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures and partial seizures with elementary symptomatology. The clinical pharmacology of DPA has not been thoroughly investigated. Simple, accurate, and reproducible gas-liquid chromatographic methods are available for determining the concentration of DPA in body tissues and fluids. The plasma half-life in humans is 8 to 15 hr. The most frequently observed adverse effects are gastrointestinal disturbances. In patients receiving additional antiepileptic drugs, potentially serious sedative effects have also been noted, which may be due to an interaction between DPA and concurrently administered medications.