Valproic Acid, Total and Free
Also known as: Depakene®
Use
Monitoring both total and free valproic acid levels in therapy supports accurate therapeutic drug management, especially when protein binding is altered (e.g., by hypoalbuminemia, concomitant medications, pregnancy, or organ dysfunction)—only the free fraction is pharmacologically active and may better reflect efficacy or toxicity, compliance, or risk of toxicity.
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
Not provided.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Other)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 57775-9 - Valproate.free + Valproate pnl SerPl
- 4086-5 - Valproate SerPl-mCnc
- 4087-3 - Valproate Free SerPl-mCnc
Result Turnaround Time
1 day
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
Preferred: Serum gel tube; Acceptable: Red top tube; Submission: Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection; Red‑top tubes should be centrifuged and serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Ambient: 72 hours |
| Refrigerated | Refrigerated: 14 days |
| Frozen | Frozen: 28 days |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant