Valproic Acid

Department

Core Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

VALP

Synonyms

Epilim
Valproate

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Test Code

4810

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4.5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.6

Additional Specimen Information

Samples should be collected immediately prior to next dose (i.e. trough level).

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.5

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Samples are stable for 48 hrs at fridge temperature.
Frozen sample are stable for up to 7 days.

Interpretation

The standard half-life of sodium valproate is 12 hours, with time to steady-state of 3 days.

Reference Intervals

Therapeutic range: 350 – 700 umol/L

Test Method

Homogenous immunoassay performed on the Beckman Coulter AU5822 analyser using Beckman Coulter reagents.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$21.42 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4810

Contact Information

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