Divalproex Dosing

For migraine prevention with divalproex, dosing typically starts at 250 mg twice a day. The recommended starting divalproex dose for treating manic episodes is 750 mg total daily, divided into several smaller doses throughout the day. Divalproex dosing for epileptic seizures is determined by your weight -- 10 mg to 15 mg per kg daily for complex partial seizures and 15 mg per kg daily for complex or partial absence seizures.

 

An Introduction to Divalproex Dosing

The dose of divalproex sodium (Depakote®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Your weight
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As always, do not adjust your divalproex dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
There are several different divalproex products available. This article refers to regular divalproex delayed-release tablets and sprinkle capsules (Depakote® Sprinkle capsules). For information on the long-acting form (Depakote ER®), see Divalproex ER Dosing.
 
Divalproex Dosing for Mania
The recommended starting divalproex dose for treating mania associated with bipolar disorder is 750 mg total per day (divided into two or more smaller doses per day). Your healthcare provider will probably increase your dose rapidly in order to control your bipolar disorder symptoms.
 
Divalproex Dosing for Epilepsy
The recommended starting divalproex dose for complex partial seizures is based on your weight --10 mg to 15 mg per kg total per day (about 4.5 mg to 6.8 mg per pound of body weight total per day). For complex or partial absence seizures, the starting dose of divalproex is 15 mg per kg total per day (about 6.8 mg per pound of body weight total per day).
 
For either type of seizures, if the total daily dose is more than 250 mg, it should be split up into two or three smaller doses per day. Your healthcare provider will probably increase your dose slowly until your seizures are controlled or until you experience bothersome side effects.
(Divalproex Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;