Valproic acid (Depakote) is used to treat various seizure types, stabilize mood in bipolar disorder, and prevent migraine headaches. While it has a relatively wide therapeutic range, blood level monitoring helps confirm effective dosing and identify potential toxicity.
This test is ordered to assess therapeutic adequacy, evaluate suspected toxicity (which may present as tremor, drowsiness, confusion, or abnormal liver function), guide dose adjustments, monitor adherence, and manage interactions with other medications. Valproic acid can also cause liver toxicity and pancreatitis, so periodic blood counts and liver tests are typically performed alongside drug levels. Trough samples are most informative. Sample type is serum or plasma.
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