The generally accepted therapeutic range for total valproic acid steady-state concentrations is 50–100 μg/mL, although some clinicians suggest drug concentrations as high as 175
Therapeutic drug monitoring with valproate–Why product selection is an important factor
Monitor patients closely, and perform liver function tests prior to therapy and at frequent intervals thereafter (5
Therapeutic drug monitoring of valproate serum concentrations is warranted when a carbapenem-valproic acid combination therapy is unavoidable
Indicated for treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder
At therapeutic levels, valproic acid is >80% bound to albumin
The majority of these prescriptions are for antidepressants (58%) followed by anxiolytics (22%), hypnotics (14%) and antipsychotics (5%)
1) Simple and Complex Absence Seizures: Start at 10 to 15 mg/kg/day, increasing at 1 week intervals by 5 to 10 monitoring for fluid and nutritional intake (5
Monitoring: Baseline – CBC, CMP, then q6mo-1y; Tegretol – 5d following last dose change; only needed during initial induction phase and then at steady dose
16-18,31 • Levels usually checked after at least 4 to 5 half-lives (i
On initiation of any antipsychotic medication and at least every six months thereafter, or more frequently as clinically indicated
Off-label uses include treating acute bipolar depression, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, and unipolar depression
It is preferred over phenytoin in patients with primary generalized epilepsies, although these patients represent a relatively small proportion of A clinical case series is presented to characterize the interaction between carbapenem antibiotics and sodium valproate
It is safe for use in both adults and children more than three years of age
This activity will highlight the mechanism of action, adverse event profile, and
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a Symptoms may include chest pain, edema, shortness of breath, and other signs associated with heart failure
1) • Co-administration of valproate can affect the pharmacokinetics Z51