Valproate sodium is the sodium salt of valproic acid designated as sodium 2-propylpentanoate. Valproate sodium has the following structure: C 8 H 15 NaO 2 M.W. 166.2 Valproate sodium occurs as an essentially white and odorless, crystalline, deliquescent powder. Valproate sodium injection, USP is available in 5 mL single-dose vials for intravenous injection. Each mL contains valproate sodium equivalent to 100 mg valproic acid, edetate disodium 0.40 mg, and water for injection to volume. The pH is adjusted to 7.6 with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid. The solution is clear and colorless. valpr-struc-01.jpg

What kind of drug is valproate?

The FDA classifies valproate as an anti-epileptic agent. Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant) drugs calm the abnormal, excessive electrical activity that triggers seizures. They do this by stabilizing overactive sodium or calcium channels in nerve cells, boosting the brain's natural calming chemical GABA, or dampening excitatory signals, which makes nerves less likely to fire uncontrollably. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take valproate with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run valproate against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is valproate sold under?

We track 2 valproate-containing products in the U.S.: Depacon and Valproate Sodium. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does valproate come in?

Across the brands we track, valproate is currently marketed as injectable and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic valproate?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic valproate product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Valproate: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Valproate is an anti-epileptic agent sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Anti-Epileptic Agent
Available as: Injectable · Solution
Sold as: 2 products — Depacon and Valproate Sodium
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How valproate is dosed

From the FDA label for Depacon (application NDA020593). Other valproate products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Valproate sodium injection is intended for intravenous use only. • Epilepsy o Complex Partial Seizures in Adults and Children 10 years of age or older: Initial dose is 10 to 15 mg/kg/day, increasing at 1 week intervals by 5 to 10 mg/kg/day to achieve optimal clinical response. Maximum recommended dose is 60 mg/kg/day ( 2.1 ). o Simple and Complex Absence Seizures: Initial dose is 10 to 15 mg/kg/day, increasing at 1 week intervals by 5 to 10 mg/kg/day to achieve optimal clinical response. Maximum recommended dose is 60 mg/kg/day ( 2.1 ). 2.1 Epilepsy Valproate sodium injection is for intravenous use only. Use of valproate sodium injection for periods of more than 14 days has not been studied. Patients should be switched to oral valproate products as soon as it is clinically feasible. Valproate sodium injection should be administered as a 60 minute infusion (but not more than 20 mg/min) with the same frequency as the oral products, although plasma concentration monitoring and dosage adjustments may be necessary. In one clinical safety study, approximately 90 patients with epilepsy and with no measurable plasma levels of valproate were given single infusions of valproate sodium injection (up to 15 mg/kg and mean dose of 1,184 mg) over 5 to 10 minutes (1.5 to 3 mg/kg/min). Patients generally tolerated the more rapid infusions well [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . This study was…

Valproate side effects

The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: • Hepatic failure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Birth defects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Decreased IQ following in utero exposure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Hyperammonemic encephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 , 5.8 , 5.9 )] • Bleeding and other hematopoietic disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • Hypothermia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] • Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] • Somnolence in the elderly [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 )] Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reactions that can result from valproate sodium use include all of those associated with oral forms of valproate. The following describes experience specifically with valproate sodium. Valproate sodium has been generally well tolerated in clinical trials involving 111 healthy adult male volunteers and 352 patients with epilepsy, given at doses of…

Every valproate product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Valproate products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Depacon Boxed warning	70/100	Prescription	Injectable	—	—	View →
2	Valproate Sodium

Frequently asked questions

What is valproate?: Valproate sodium is the sodium salt of valproic acid designated as sodium 2-propylpentanoate. Valproate sodium has the following structure: C 8 H 15 NaO 2 M.W. 166.2 Valproate sodium occurs as an essentially white and odorless, crystalline, deliquescent powder. Valproate sodium injection, USP is available in 5 mL single-dose vials for intravenous injection. Each mL contains valproate sodium equivalent to 100 mg valproic acid, edetate disodium 0.40 mg, and water for injection to volume. The pH is adjusted to 7.6 with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid. The solution is clear and colorless. valpr-struc-01.jpg
What kind of drug is valproate?: The FDA classifies valproate as an anti-epileptic agent. Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant) drugs calm the abnormal, excessive electrical activity that triggers seizures. They do this by stabilizing overactive sodium or calcium channels in nerve cells, boosting the brain's natural calming chemical GABA, or dampening excitatory signals, which makes nerves less likely to fire uncontrollably. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take valproate with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run valproate against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is valproate sold under?: We track 2 valproate-containing products in the U.S.: Depacon and Valproate Sodium. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does valproate come in?: Across the brands we track, valproate is currently marketed as injectable and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Who shouldn’t take valproate

Valproate sodium injection should not be administered to patients with hepatic disease or significant hepatic dysfunction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . • Valproate sodium injection is contraindicated in patients known to have mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ (POLG; e.g., Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome) and children under two years of age who are suspected of having a POLG-related disorder [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . • Valproate sodium injection is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 )] . • Valproate sodium injection is contraindicated in patients with known urea cycle disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . • For use in prophylaxis of migraine headaches: Valproate sodium injection is contraindicated in women who are pregnant and in women of childbearing potential who are not using effective contraception [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 , 5.3 , 5.4 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . • Hepatic disease or significant hepatic dysfunction ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Known mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ (POLG) ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Suspected POLG-related disorder in children under two years of age ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Known hypersensitivity to the drug ( 4 , 5.11 ) • Urea cycle…

Valproate drug interactions

Hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, rifampin) can increase valproate clearance, while enzyme inhibitors (e.g., felbamate) can decrease valproate clearance. Therefore increased monitoring of valproate and concomitant drug concentrations and dosage adjustment are indicated whenever enzyme-inducing or inhibiting drugs are introduced or withdrawn ( 7.1 ) • Aspirin, carbapenem antibiotics, estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives: Monitoring of valproate concentrations is recommended ( 7.1 ) • Co-administration of valproate can affect the pharmacokinetics of other drugs (e.g. diazepam, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, phenytoin) by inhibiting their metabolism or protein binding displacement ( 7.2 ) • Patients stabilized on rufinamide should begin valproate therapy at a low dose, and titrate to clinically effective dose ( 7.2 ) • Dosage adjustment of amitriptyline/nortriptyline, propofol, warfarin, and zidovudine may be necessary if used concomitantly with valproate ( 7.2 ) • Topiramate: Hyperammonemia and encephalopathy ( 5.9 , 7.3 ) 7.1 Effects of Co-Administered Drugs on Valproate Clearance Drugs that affect the level of expression of hepatic enzymes, particularly those that elevate levels of glucuronosyltransferases (such as ritonavir), may increase the clearance of valproate. For example, phenytoin,…