Isovaleramide is an organic compound with the formula (CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CHCH<sub>2</sub>C(O)NH<sub>2</sub>. The amide derived from isovaleric acid, it is a colourless solid.
Isovaleramide is a constituent of valerian root.
In humans, it acts as a mild anxiolytic at lower doses and as a mild sedative at higher dosages. Isovaleramide has been shown to be non-cytotoxic and does not act as a CNS stimulant. It inhibits the liver alcohol dehydrogenases and has a reported of greater than 400 mg/kg when administered intraperitoneally in mice.
It is a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor, similarly to isovaleric acid.