Valparin XR 500 Dosage/Direction for Use

Epilepsy: The dose should be adjusted to the needs of individual patient to achieve adequate control of seizures.
Adults: 600 mg daily in 2 divided doses. May be increased by 200 mg every 3 days to a usual range of 1 g to 2 g daily (20 to 30 mg /kg daily) up to maximum of 2.5 g daily may be necessary if adequate control has not been achieved.
Children: Usual range 20 to 30 mg /kg daily, which may be increased to 40 mg /kg daily in severe cases, but only with monitored plasma levels.
Elderly: Dosage should be determined be seizure control.
In combination with anticonvulsants: When starting Sodium Valproate + valproic acid in patients on other anticonvulsants (phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine) these should be tapered slowly. Initiation therapy should be gradual, with target dose being reached after about 2 weeks. To raise the dose by 5 to 10 mg /kg/day.
Patients with renal insufficiency: It may be necessary to decrease the dosage. Dosage should be adjusted according to clinical monitoring of plasma concentrations may be misleading.
Bipolar: Recommended Initial Dose: 20 mg/kg/day. The dose may be adjusted according to individual clinical response. The maximum dose should not exceed 3,000 mg daily. Recommended Maintenance Dose: 1,000 mg-2,000 mg/day. Doses should be adjusted according to individual clinical response. Prophylactic treatment should be established individually with the lowest effective dose. The use of sustained release form follows to give the drug once daily. It may be used in children provided that they are able to take such a form.