Two medicines, side by side
Valproic acid vs divalproex
Valproic acid and divalproex are both labeled for seizures and epilepsy and migraine. Drugs@FDA records approvals of valproic acid since 1978 and of divalproex since 1983. Pharmacies paid $0.243 per valproic acid 250 mg capsule and $0.194 per divalproex sod ER 500 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Valproic acid, “Valproic acid dissociates to the valproate ion in the gastrointestinal tract.”; Divalproex, “Divalproex sodium dissociates to the valproate ion in the gastrointestinal tract.”
Check it at the source: the valproic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 24, 2025); the divalproex FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 31, 2026).
Highlights of the valproic acid record
Valproic acid (Depakene) · label of January 24, 2025
LIFE THREATENING ADVERSE REACTIONS WARNING: LIFE THREATENING ADVERSE REACTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Hepatotoxicity, including fatalities, usually during the first 6 months of treatment. Children under the age of two years and patients with mitochondrial disorders are at higher risk.
Used for
From the label: indicationsValproic acid is indicated for: Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy of complex partial seizures; sole and adjunctive therapy of simple and complex absence seizures; adjunctive therapy in patients with multiple seizure types that include absence seizures ( 1 ) 1.1 Epilepsy Valproic acid is indicated as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with complex partial seizures that occur either in isolation or in association with other types of seizures. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 28, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.243 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- Listed; available
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the divalproex record
Divalproex (Depakote) · label of March 31, 2026
LIFE THREATENING ADVERSE REACTIONS Hepatotoxicity General Population: Hepatic failure resulting in fatalities has occurred in patients receiving valproate and its derivatives. These incidents usually have occurred during the first six months of treatment. Serious or fatal hepatotoxicity may be preceded by non-specific symptoms such as malaise, weakness, lethargy, facial edema, anorexia, and vomiting. In patients with epilepsy, a loss of seizure control may also occur.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDepakote is an anti-epileptic drug indicated for: Treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder ( 1.1 ) Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy of complex partial seizures and simple and complex absence seizures; adjunctive therapy in patients with multiple seizure types that include absence seizures ( 1.2 ) Prophylaxis of migraine headaches ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Mania Depakote (divalproex sodium) is a valproate and is indicated for the treatment of the manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 10, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 44 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.194 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 16
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Valproic acid label of January 24, 2025, Divalproex label of March 31, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do valproic acid and divalproex differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Valproic acid, “Valproic acid dissociates to the valproate ion in the gastrointestinal tract.”; Divalproex, “Divalproex sodium dissociates to the valproate ion in the gastrointestinal tract.”
Both are in FDA's class mood stabilizers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Valproic acid, “Mean terminal half-life for valproate monotherapy ranged from 9 to 16 hours following oral dosing regimens of 250 to …”; Divalproex, “Mean terminal half-life for valproate monotherapy ranged from 9 to 16 hours following oral dosing regimens of 250 to …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: valproic acid since 1986; divalproex since 2008 (Drugs@FDA).
| Valproic acid | Divalproex | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Seizures and epilepsy, Migraine | Bipolar disorder, Migraine, Seizures and epilepsy |
| Pharmacologic class | Anti-epileptic Agent, Mood Stabilizer | Anti-epileptic Agent, Mood Stabilizer |
| How it works (label) | Valproic acid dissociates to the valproate ion in the gastrointestinal tract. The mechanisms by which valproate exerts its therapeutic effects have not been established. | Divalproex sodium dissociates to the valproate ion in the gastrointestinal tract. The mechanisms by which valproate exerts its therapeutic effects have not been established. |
| Half-life (label) | Mean terminal half-life for valproate monotherapy ranged from 9 to 16 hours following oral dosing regimens of 250 to 1,000 mg. | Mean terminal half-life for valproate monotherapy ranged from 9 to 16 hours following oral dosing regimens of 250 to 1,000 mg. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 28, 1978 | March 10, 1983 |
| First generic approved | February 28, 1986 | July 29, 2008 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 22 labelers | 44 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.243 per capsule (Valproic acid 250 mg capsule) | $0.194 per tablet (Divalproex sod ER 500 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | Listed; available | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 16 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 51,380 | 46,267 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to valproic acid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions