One approach to this problem has been the search for valproic acid derivatives with less teratogenic potential (4). According to toxicologic studies the teratogenicity of valproate stems from its free carboxylic group (2, 3). Valpromide is an amide derivative of valproate without the suspect free carboxylic group. It was synthesized and marketed and has anticonvulsant efficacy, at least as good as valproic acid (1). There are some reports of its efficacy in bipolar disorder as well (5). In some animal species, only a small amount of valpromide is metabolized to valproic acid. However, in humans valpromide is metabolized to a large degree to valproic acid and so it does not solve the problem of teratogenicity (1, 6).