A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ORAL SODIUM VALPROATE VERSUS DIVALPROEX IN TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

Background: Bipolar disorder is a prevalent psychiatric condition that significantly impacts the quality of life, characterized by recurring episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression. Sodium Valproate and Divalproex are two commonly prescribed mood stabilizers for managing bipolar disorder. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these drugs in the treatment of bipolar disorder, given the limited data from Central India. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted involving 110 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Participants were divided into two groups: Group I received Sodium Valproate (500mg twice daily), and Group II received Divalproex (500mg twice daily). Treatment efficacy was measured using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS) at baseline, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks. The severity and causality of adverse drug reactions were assessed using the Hartwig Severity Scale and WHO UMC Causality Assessment Scale. Results: Both drugs showed significant improvement in YMRS and BDRS scores over the 8-week period. Sodium Valproate resulted in a 53.39% reduction in YMRS and a 52.44% reduction in BDRS scores, while Divalproex showed slightly better efficacy with a 54.13% reduction in YMRS and a 53.33% reduction in BDRS scores. P value was calculated using the software Spss 30. Significant p value was found for each group. Both drugs were well tolerated, with mild adverse effects such as nausea and tremors being the most commonly reported. Conclusion: Sodium Valproate and Divalproex are effective and safe options for managing bipolar disorder, with Divalproex showing a marginally better efficacy profile. These findings contribute to the understanding of bipolar disorder treatment in Central India and provide insights into the comparative effectiveness of these mood stabilizers