Valproic Acid (Depakote) Level

1. Pharmokinetic factors including dosage form, mode of administration, and biological variation can influence appropriate time of specimen collection following administration of valproic acid.

2. Valproic acid monitoring is most appropriate when blood specimen is drawn after steady-state conditions have been reached (after 4-5 half-lives on an unchanged dose regimen).

3. For patient’s receiving valproic acid orally, blood specimen should be drawn immediately before next dose due to its short half-life.

4. Valproic acid specimens should be monitored at a consistent time of day, concentration is affected by circadian rhythm.