Depakote ER Dosage

Package insert / prescribing information
Generic name: divalproex sodium
Dosage form: tablet, extended release
Drug class: Fatty acid derivative anticonvulsants

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

Recommended Adult Dosing

Dosage forms:  ER TAB: 250 mg, 500 mg

Partial seizures, complex

[30-60 mg/kg/dose PO qd]

Start: 10-15 mg/kg/dose PO qd, 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; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Absence seizures, simple and complex

[30-60 mg/kg/dose PO qd]

Start: 15 mg/kg/dose PO qd, 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; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Bipolar disorder, acute manic/mixed

[25-60 mg/kg/dose PO qd]

Start: 25 mg/kg/dose PO qd, may increase. 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; do not cut/crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Migraine headache prophylaxis

[500-1000 mg PO qd]

Start: 500 mg PO qd x1wk, then incr. to 1000 mg PO qd; Info: decr. start dose and titrate slowly in elderly pts; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew tab; 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:  ER TAB: 250 mg, 500 mg

Special Note

[formulation clarification]

Info: divalproex sodium ER and DR tabs not bioequivalent; increase. total daily dose by 8-20% if switching from DR tab to ER tab

Partial seizures, complex

[10 yo and older]

Dose: 30-60 mg/kg/dose PO qd; Start: 10-15 mg/kg/dose PO qd, incr. by 5-10 mg/kg/day q7 days; Max: 60 mg/kg/day; Info: adjust dose based on tx response and serum levels; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew tab; taper dose gradually to D/C

Absence seizures, simple and complex

[10 yo and older]

Dose: 30-60 mg/kg/dose PO qd; Start: 15 mg/kg/dose PO qd, incr. by 5-10 mg/kg/day q7 days; Max: 60 mg/kg/day; Info: adjust dose based on tx response and serum levels; give w/ food; do not cut/crush/chew tab; 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

SRC: NLM .