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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Valproic Acid
Test CodeVPA
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Patient Preparation
Collect as a trough just prior to next dose
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in:
Sodium heparin (green-top) tube • Lithium heparin (green-top) tube •
Sodium heparin (green-top) tube • Lithium heparin (green-top) tube •
Instructions
Note date and time of last dose on order
Transport Container
Original collection vial
Transport Temperature
Ambient
Specimen Stability
Ambient: 2 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Specimens other than serum or heparinized plasma
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
24/7
Report Available
Same Day
Reference Range
50.0-100.0 mg/L
Clinical Significance
Valproic acid is used as an anticonvulsant to treat certain types of seizures, to prevent migraine headaches and to treat various psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder and aggression. Drugs that compete for protein-binding sites with valproic acid can increase the concentration of valproic acid. Therapeutic drug monitoring is useful to optimize dose. Measurement of the free concentration is useful if toxicity is suspected.
