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→Medical use and TDM
==Medical use and TDM==
Valproate (VPA) is usually taken as tablets of 250 mg or as a syrup with 250 mg per ml, but this may vary per product<ref name=”[39]”> Valproic Acid Capsules - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses. (2018, June 1).Retrieved November 26, 2019, at [https://www.drugs.com/pro/valproic-acid-capsules.html“https://www.drugs.com/pro/valproic-acid-capsules.html”].</ref>.The dose of VPA is at first taken in small amounts and is then gradually increased until the satisfactory dose is reached.
Testing for valproate levels is important to check if the blood levels are within normal therapeutic range <ref name=”[20]”> Valproic Acid (2018, October 1) , at [https://labtestsonline.org/tests/valproic-acid“https://labtestsonline.org/tests/valproic-acid”].</ref>
. The test should measure the free concentration (i.e. the concentration of unbound valproate) as this fraction is pharmacologically active.