Valproic Acid

Overview
Department	Biochemistry
Test Code
Synonyms	Valproate Sodium Valproate Epilim Valpro
Availability	Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours
Turnaround Time	1 – 5 hrs
Stability – Add test
Specimen Requirements
Specimen	Plasma Serum
Preferred	6 mL Plain Red-Top
Acceptable	6 mL Li-Hep Green-Top
Unacceptable
Specimen Transportation
Paediatric Requirements	600 μL Li-Hep Microtainer
Aliquot Requirements
Sample	Plasma Serum
Preferred Volume	1 mL
Minimum Volume	0.1 mL
Aliquot Transportation
Clinical Information
Reference Intervals	350 – 700 umol/L. Although values <300 umol/L are generally ineffective and values >700 are more likely to be toxic, the concentration does not correlate well with efficacy/toxicity.   Dose adjustment should be based primarily on clinical indicators
Test Method	Abbott Alinity c series analyser using Abbott reagents. Particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay (PETINIA).
Advanced Notice
Patient Preparation	With patient at steady state, samples should be collected immediately before next dose (trough level).
Comments
With patient at steady state, samples should be collected immediately before next dose (trough level).

Owner	Clair Crossley (Crossley1)
Last reviewed	23.09.2026
Next review	23.09.2027 (OK)