Brain cells communicate with each other by electricity. A group of brain cells can ''misfire'' and send out an abnormal signal to other cells in the brain. This scrambled signal causes a temporary ''short circuit'' of the brain. This is a seizure or convulsion . Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant.
Anticonvulsants stop the spread of an abnormal signal to other parts of the brain.
This prevents a seizure. Valproate, valproic acid and divalproex are just different forms of the same medication. But, gastrointestinal side effects, like nausea , are less of a problem with divalproex. It may be used with other anticonvulsants to treat other kinds of seizures. This medication may be used to treat other conditions as directed by your health care provider.