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Divalproex sodium
- indication:For treatment and management of seizure disorders, mania, and prophylactic treatment of migraine headache.
- pharmacologypharmacology:
- mechanism: Divalproex binds to and inhibits GABA transaminase. The drug's anticonvulsant activity may be related to increased brain concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, by inhibiting enzymes that catabolize GABA or block the reuptake of GABA into glia and nerve endings. Divalproex may also work by suppressing repetitive neuronal firing through inhibition of voltage-sensitive sodium channels.
- toxicity: Overdosage with divalproex may result in somnolence,heart block,and deep coma. Fatalities have been reported; however patients have recovered from divalproex levels as high as 2120 µg/mL.
- absorprion: Rapid absorption from gastrointestinal tract.
- halflife: 9-16 hours
- roouteelimination: Valproate is metabolized almost entirely by the liver.
- volumedistribution: * 11 L/1.73 m2 [total valproate] * 92 L/1.73 m2 [free valproate]
- clearance: