Divalproex ER Dosing

For those who are being treated for manic depression with divalproex ER, dosing typically starts at 25 mg per kg of body weight once daily. For treating epileptic seizures, the recommended starting divalproex ER dose is 10 mg to 15 mg per kg of body weight once a day. The recommended divalproex ER dosage for migraine prevention is 500 mg once daily. Your healthcare provider can adjust your dosage as needed.

 

An Introduction to Divalproex ER Dosage

The dose of divalproex ER (Depakote ER®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Your weight
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As always, do not adjust your divalproex ER dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
Divalproex ER Dosing for Mania
The recommended starting divalproex ER dose for treating manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder is 25 mg per kg of body weight once daily (about 11.4 mg per pound once daily). Your healthcare provider will probably increase your dose rapidly in order to control your bipolar disorder symptoms.
 
Divalproex ER Dosing for Epilepsy
The recommended starting divalproex ER dose for complex partial seizures is also based on your weight -- 10 mg to 15 mg per kg of body weight once daily (about 4.5 mg to 6.8 mg per pound once daily). For complex or partial absence seizures, the starting dose of divalproex ER is 15 mg per kg once daily (about 6.8 mg per pound once daily).
 
Your healthcare provider will probably increase your dose slowly until your seizures are controlled or until you experience bothersome side effects.
(Divalproex ER Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;