Main Entry Criteria. Uncontrolled seizures on a single antiepileptic drug (AED)

Comparator. High- versus low-dose valproate

Number of Patients. 265

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Seizure frequency

Results. High-dose is superior to low-dose valproate in monotherapy.

Main Entry Criteria. Newly diagnosed epilepsy

Comparator. Valproate, carbamazepine (CBZ)

Number of Patients. 300

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Seizure frequency, retention in study

Results. CBZ and valproate were equally effective.

Main Entry Criteria. Partial-onset seizures

Comparator. Valproate, CBZ

Number of Patients. 480

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Seizure frequency, retention in study

Results. CBZ and valproate were equally effective in controlling secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Valproate was less
effective in controlling complex partial seizures.

Main Entry Criteria. Adults with medication-resistant seizures

Comparator. Valproate, placebo

Number of Patients. 144

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Seizure frequency

Results. Valproate was found to be superior to placebo.

Main Entry Criteria. Children and adolescents with absence seizures

Comparator. Valproate, lamotrigine

Number of Patients. 38

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Seizure freedom (clinical and 24-hour electroencephalogram)

Results. Valproate was equal to lamotrigine but had a quicker onset of action.

Main Entry Criteria. Two migraine headaches per month

Comparator. Valproate, placebo

Number of Patients. 107

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Headache frequency

Results. Valproate was significantly better than placebo.

Main Entry Criteria. Two migraine headaches per month

Comparator. Valproate, placebo

Number of Patients. 176

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Headache frequency

Results. Valproate was significantly better than placebo.

Main Entry Criteria. Two migraine headaches per month

Comparator. Valproate extended release (ER), placebo

Number of Patients. 224

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Headache frequency

Results. Valproate was significantly better than placebo.

Main Entry Criteria. Adults who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria for bipolar disorder, hospitalized for acute mania and failed lithium

Comparator. Valproate, placebo

Number of Patients. Not stated

Primary Outcome Variable; Important Secondary Variables. Young Mania Rating Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Global Assessment Scale

Results. Valproate was more effective than placebo in all outcome measures.