Depakote Dosage

Generic name: divalproex sodium
Drug class: Fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

Recommended Adult Dosing

Dosage forms:  DR TAB: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg

Partial seizures, complex

[30-60 mg/kg/day PO divided bid-tid]

Start: 10-15 mg/kg/day PO divided qd-tid, increase. by 5-10 mg/kg/day q7 days; Max: 60 mg/kg/day; Info: decrease. start dose and titrate slowly in elderly pts; adjust dose based on tx response and serum levels; divide doses >250 mg/day; give w/ food; taper dose gradually to D/C

Absence seizures, simple and complex

[30-60 mg/kg/day PO divided bid-tid]

Start: 15 mg/kg/day PO divided qd-tid, increase. by 5-10 mg/kg/day q7 days; Max: 60 mg/kg/day; Info: decrease. start dose and titrate slowly in elderly pts; adjust dose based on tx response and serum levels; divide doses >250 mg/day; give w/ food; taper dose gradually to D/C

Bipolar disorder, acute manic

[250-500 mg PO tid]

Start: 250 mg PO tid, may incr. dose rapidly to lowest effective dose; Max: 60 mg/kg/day; Info: decrease. start dose and titrate slowly in elderly pts; adjust dose based on tx response and serum levels; give w/ food; taper dose gradually to D/C

Migraine headache prophylaxis

[250-500 mg PO bid]

Start: 250 mg PO bid; Info: decr. start dose and titrate slowly in elderly pts; give w/ food; taper dose gradually to D/C

Renal dosing

[no adjustment]

renal impairment: no adjustment

HD/PD: no adjustment; no supplement

Hepatic dosing

[see below]

hepatic dz/significant impairment: contraindicated

 Recommended Peds Dosing

Dosage forms:  DR TAB: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg

Partial seizures, complex

[10 yo and older]

Dose: 30-60 mg/kg/day PO divided bid-tid; Start: 10-15 mg/kg/day PO divided qd-tid, incr. by 5-10 mg/kg/day q7 days; Max: 60 mg/kg/day; Info: adjust dose based on tx response and serum levels; divide doses >250 mg/day; give w/ food; taper dose gradually to D/C

Absence seizures, simple and complex

[10 yo and older]

Dose: 30-60 mg/kg/day PO divided bid-tid; Start: 15 mg/kg/day PO divided qd-tid, incr. by 5-10 mg/kg/day q7 days; Max: 60 mg/kg/day; Info: adjust dose based on tx response and serum levels; divide doses >250 mg/day; give w/ food; taper dose gradually to D/C

Renal dosing

[no adjustment]

renal impairment: no adjustment

HD/PD: no adjustment; no supplement

Hepatic dosing

hepatic dz/significant impairment: contraindicated

SRC: NLM .