<p>Valproic acid, or valproate, is an fatty acid derivative and anticonvulsant originally synthesized in 1881 by Beverly S. Burton.<sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Lopez-Munoz F, Baumeister AA, Hawkins MF, Alamo C: The role of serendipity in the discovery of the clinical effects of psychotropic drugs: beyond of the myth. Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2012 Jan-Feb;40(1):34-42. Epub 2012 Jan 1. (PubMed ID 22344494)" href="#reference-A178051">26</a></sup> It enjoyed use as a popular organic solvent in industry and pharmaceutical manufacturing for nearly a century. In 1963, a serendipitous discovery was made by George Carraz during his investigations into the anticonvulsant effects of khelline when he found that all of his samples, dissolved in valproic acid, exerted a similar degree of anticonvulsive activity. It first received approval on February 28, 1978 from the FDA under the trade name Depakene.<sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Depakene FDA" href="#reference-L6190">29</a></sup></p><p>Since then, it has been investigated for neuroprotective, anti-manic, and anti-migraine effects. It is currently a compound of interest in the field of oncology for its anti-proliferative effects and is the subject of many clinical trials in a variety of cancer types.</p>