Made in 1881, Valproate and its valproic acid are medications primarily used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches. They are also useful for the prevention of seizures in those with absence seizures, partial seizures, and generalized seizures. Before you take these medications, you need to tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a urea cycle disorder. Bear in mind that you can take them with or without food, although it’s preferable that you take these drugs with food if they cause an upset stomach. As far as the side effects of Valproate and its valproic acid are concerned, they include nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and dry mouth. Additionally, they have other side effects that can be serious such as liver problems, which in turn require regular monitoring of liver function tests. Besides, the drugs in question can cause pancreatitis and an increased suicide risk. It is worth noting that Valproate and its valproic acid are known to cause serious abnormalities in babies if taken during pregnancy. Because of this, they are not typically recommended in women of childbearing age who have migraines.