Doses - VALPROIC ACID, VALPROATE SODIUM, DIVALPROEX SODIUM

Dogs:

a) 75 - 200 mg/kg PO tid (Bunch 1986)
b) 30 - 180 mg/kg/day PO divided tid (Schunk 1988)
c) 170 - 185 mg/kg/day divided bid-tid (Kay and Aucoin 1985)
Monitoring Parameters -

1) Anticonvulsant efficacy

2) If used chronically, routine CBC's and liver enzymes at least every 6 months
Client Information - Compliance with therapy must be stressed to clients for successful epilepsytreatment. Encourage to give daily doses at same time each day. Veterinarian should be contacted ifanimal develops significant adverse reactions (including symptoms of anemia and/or liver disease)or if seizure control is unacceptable.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Valproic Acid Capsules 250 mg; Depakene® (Abbott); generic; (Rx)
Valproate Sodium Oral Syrup 50 mg/ml in 480 ml bottles; Depakene® (Abbott); generic (Rx)
Divalproex Sodium Delayed Release Tablets: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg; Depakote® (Abbott) (Rx)
Divalproex Sodium Capsules (Sprinkle) 125 mg; Depakote® (Abbott) (Rx)
Valproate Sodium Injection 100 mg/ml in 5 ml in single dose vials; Depacon® (Abbott) (Rx)