Valproic Acid
Depacon, Depakene, Depakote, Stavzor, Valproate
Testing Information
Sample Type
Serum
Test Codes
630460
CPT Code
80164
Testing Area
Core Lab - Chemistry
Test Methodology
Abbott Alinity - Immunoturbidimetric
Reference Range
Therapeutic Range:0-15 years: 50-150 mcg/mL>15 years: 50-100 mcg/mLCritical Value: >155 mcg/mL
Expected Turnaround Time
Results Available 24 hours from Receipt
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect one gold top SST tube (minimum whole blood: 4 mL). Let specimen clot for 30-60 minutes and then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate after centrifugation.
Rejection Criteria
Grossly hemolyzed specimens, quantity not sufficient, grossly lipemic specimens, improperly labeled
Specimen Validity and Retention
Centrifuged SST Tubes:Room Temperature (20-25°C): 24 hoursRefrigerated (2-8°C): 7 daysFrozen (-20°C or greater): UnacceptableSerum Aliquots:Room Temperature (20-25°C): 24 hoursRefrigerated (2-8°C): 7 daysFrozen (-20°C or greater): 7 daysSpecimens retained for 7 days after testing
Courier Transportation
Transport centrifuged tube refrigerated (2-8°C)
Clinical Utility
Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant drug. Valproic acid levels are measured to ensure patients are falling within the therapeutic range and avoid toxicity.
