Valproic Acid

Message

Important Note

Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 1 hour of collection.

Test Code

VALPR

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB24

Depakene
Depakote
Divalproex
Valproate
Dipropylacetic Acid
VPA

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Red top

Instructions

Collect a trough specimen, immediately before next dose.
Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 1 hour of collection.

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 2 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 3 months

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, grossly hemolyzed.

Methodology

Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA).

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day

Reference Range

Therapeutic: 50.0 - 100.0 µg/mL

Clinical Significance

Valproic Acid is a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant drug used solely or in combination with other anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of absence seizures. It also has demonstrated effectiveness in the management of generalized tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures, as well as atypical absence, simple and complex partial and mixed grand mal and petit mal seizures. The capability of treating many types of seizures with a single anticonvulsant has resulted in the wide-spread use of valproic acid, particularly in children in whom tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures are most prevalent. Valproic acid has proven effective in the treatment of many patients otherwise refractory to other anticonvulsant treatments. Most patients receiving valproic acid do not develop a tolerance to its anticonvulsant effects.

Performing Laboratory

Inova Laboratories

2832 Juniper Street

Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: April 3, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, April 3, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.