Full Answer
Depakote has been prescribed since 19831. Depakote is one of the first generation of a class of medications called antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Depakote is used to treat complex partial seizures, simple and complex absence seizures, as well as acute manic symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder. 1-3. Depakote Delayed-Release Tablets.
Depakote: Initiation: Check baseline labs (urine pregnancy, platelet counts, coagulation tests, and liver function tests). Week 1: Start Depakote ER (extended-release) 750 mg QHS. Week 2: Check trough Depakote ER plasma level before, but as close to the dosing time as possible. If level is sub therapeutic, add 250-500 mg to QHS dose. Repeat weekly as need to reach therapeutic dosage.
LOINC MapOrder CodeOrder Code NameResult Code Name007260Valproic Acid (Depakote)(R),SValproic Acid (Depakote)(R),S
LOINC MapOrder CodeOrder Code NameUofM070789Free Valproic Acid (Depakote)ug/mL
In general, when taking divalproex-ER once daily in the morning, a blood sample collected at 21-24 h after OD dose of ER preparation is expected to have a concentration within 3% of the trough value.
Depakote levels are routinely checked with blood tests to make sure you have neither too little nor too much in your system. Too little will render it ineffective while too much may be toxic.
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code E71 E71.
A closely related medication, Depakene (valproic acid), comes in capsule and liquid form. Another variety of valproic acid, Stavzor, is no longer manufactured. In 2008, the FDA approved the first generic version of Depakote. Collectively, these medications are known as valproate products.
Test IdReporting NameAlways PerformedVALPFValproic Acid, Free, SYesVALPAValproic Acid, Tot, SYes
Z79.02 Long term (current) use of antithrombotics/an... Z79.1 Long term (current) use of non-steroidal anti... Z79.2 Long term (current) use of antibiotics. Z79.3 Long term (current) use of hormonal contracep... Z79.4 Long term (current) use of insulin.
Categories Z40-Z53 are intended for use to indicate a reason for care. They may be used for patients who have already been treated for a disease or injury, but who are receiving aftercare or prophylactic care, or care to consolidate the treatment, or to deal with a residual state. Type 2 Excludes.
Clinical Information. (fer-e-sis) a procedure in which blood is collected, part of the blood such as platelets or white blood cells is taken out, and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor.
Valproate is absorbed rapidly and completely following oral administration; peak plasma concentrations usually occur within two hours after ingestion of liquid preparations and three to four hours after ingestion of the delayed-release tablet preparation, divalproex sodium, which contains sodium valproate and valproic acid.
The half-life of valproate in adults is 12 to 16 hours. In epileptic patients receiving polytherapy, the half-life is approximately nine hours, although five hours has also been reported. The half-lives in school-age children and young adolescents are well within the range of values in adults.
Although some clinicians prefer valproate for absence seizures, the American Academy of Pediatrics (Committee on Drugs, 1982) recommended that it be reserved for use when therapeutic failure or intolerance to ethosuximide occurs, because valproate causes rare but potentially fatal hepatotoxicity.
Valproate is the drug of choice in myoclonic epilepsy, with or without generalized tonic-clonic seizures, including juvenile myoclonic epilepsy of Janz, that begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Photosensitive myoclonus is usually easily controlled.
One unsaturated metabolite, 2-n-propyl-4-pente noic acid (4-ene-VPA), has been proposed as a key hepatotoxic metabolite. The formation of this metabolite is increased by concomitant use of phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and other drugs that induce cytochrome P450.
Use. Valproate (valproic acid; divalproex sodium, a compound containing sodium valproate and valproic acid) controls absence, myoclonic, and tonic-clonic seizures in generalized, idiopathic, and symptomatic epilepsy. It is most useful in typical absence seizures. Valproate is as effective as ethosuximide in patients with absence seizures alone ...
The test may be ordered when a person's condition does not appear to be responding to valproic acid to determine whether the concentration is too low, the medication is ineffective, and/or to determine if someone is complying with therapy (taking the valproic acid regularly).
To determine the concentration of valproic acid in your blood; the purpose is to maintain a therapeutic level and monitor toxicity. When To Get Tested?
Once a stable blood concentration in the therapeutic range has been achieved, the valproic acid level may then be monitored at regular intervals to ensure that it remains within the therapeutic range.
The drug is also used to treat people with recurrent migraine headaches to help prevent their occurrence and to treat certain chronic pain syndromes.
However, in certain conditions and disease states, that balance can be disturbed, the percentage of free or active valproic acid can increase, and the person may experience symptoms of toxicity even though their total valproic acid result falls within the therapeutic range.
Valpro ic acid in the blood is highly bound to proteins and only the portion of valproic acid that is unbound or "free" is pharmacologically active. Under normal conditions, the balance between bound and unbound valproic acid in the blood is relatively stable, so measuring the total valproic acid is appropriate for monitoring the therapeutic level.
The balance is often difficult to achieve because the drug is metabolized by the liver and is processed at a rate that varies from person to person and is affected by age and liver health. Most valproic acid is bound to protein in the blood and it is the unbound "free" portion that has therapeutic effect.