Valproic Acid
Understanding Valproic Acid
What is Valproic Acid?
Valproic acid (also known as Sodium valproate) is a medicine used to treat certain neurological disorders like epilepsy or other mental conditions like bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches. A valproic acid test measures and monitors the amount of this medicine in the blood sample. This test is often conducted at timely intervals throughout the treatment to check for the optimal range of this medicine and to check the compliance of the patient. It is important to take the exact prescribed dosage of this medicine to avoid derangement of the test results. This test may also be done to diagnose potential toxicity. Abnormally high levels may cause side effects like tremors, nausea, or drowsiness. Your doctor may adjust the dosage up or down depending on the results of this blood test.
Note: Therapeutic ranges are based on the sample collected time just before the scheduled dose is due.
What is Valproic Acid used for?
- This test is ordered if someone begins valproic acid treatment. Once a stable concentration in the given therapeutic range is achieved, the valproic acid level may then be monitored at regolar intervals to ensure that it remains within this range
- When a person is not responding to valproic acid treatment
- It is also frequently ordered if someone experiences side effects of valproic acid like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tremors, blurred vision, mood swings, hair loss
Interpreting Valproic Acid results
Interpretations
- The therapeutic range for total valproic acid has been established at 50-125 microgram/ml while the recommended range for the treatment of epilepsy is 50-100 microgram/ml total valproic acid
- If the valproic acid result is within the therapeutic range, the person is not having recurrent seizures, mood swings, and is not experiencing serious side effects
- People should not increase, decrease or stop taking their medicine without consulting their doctor
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