Valproic Acid Tables:
Pharmacokinetics
Bioavailability
Peak plasma level
Plasma half-life
Active metabolites
Elimination
constant
>95%
2 to 4 hours
12 hours (9 to 16 hours)
little importance
predominantly extrarenal
*For normal coated tablets or capsules; with gastric juice resistant preparations the peak plasma levels are reached later (3 to 8 hours).
Dose
Indication
Administration
Initial loading dose
Dose
Interval
Maintenance dose
Dose
Interval
single drug therapy of tonic-clonic seizures
oral
5 mg/kg (300-350 mg)
12 hours
7.5-15 mg/kg*(450-800 mg)
12 hours**
*Dose increase in weekly steps of 100 mg/dose until control of the seizures is achieved.
**Take after meals; some specialists recommend that the drug be taken three times or even only once daily.
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