What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Divalproex and zidovudine
Divalproex's FDA label of March 31, 2026 names zidovudine in its drug interactions section, and zidovudine's label names divalproex too. The divalproex label: “… Dosage adjustment of amitriptyline/nortriptyline, propofol, warfarin, and zidovudine may be necessary if used concomitantly with Depakote Topiramate:”
Check it at the source: the divalproex FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 31, 2026, AbbVie Inc.); the zidovudine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 10, 2025, Aurobindo Pharma Limited).
What does the divalproex label say about zidovudine?
Divalproex label, drug interactionsMonitoring of valproate concentrations is recommended ( 7.1 ) Co-administration of valproate can affect the pharmacokinetics of other drugs (e.g., diazepam, ethosuximide, lamotrigine, phenytoin) by inhibiting their metabolism or protein binding displacement ( 7.2 ) Patients stabilized on rufinamide should begin valproate therapy at a low dose, and titrate to clinically effective dose ( 7.2 ) Dosage adjustment of amitriptyline/nortriptyline, propofol, warfarin, and zidovudine may be necessary if used concomitantly with Depakote ( 7.2 ) Topiramate:
Source: FDA drug label (Depakote), AbbVie Inc., effective March 31, 2026 (SPL set 08a65cf4-7749-4ceb-6895-8f4805e2b01f), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the zidovudine label say about divalproex?
Retrovir label (ViiV Healthcare Company, October 30, 2013), drug interactionsFor patients experiencing pronounced anemia or other severe zidovudine-associated events while receiving chronic administration of zidovudine and some of the drugs (e.g., fluconazole, valproic acid) listed in Table 4, zidovudine dose reduction may be considered.
Source: FDA drug label (Retrovir, NDA019951), ViiV Healthcare Company, effective October 30, 2013 (SPL set 360d8a6d-d3b6-43ef-8764-e99d831880a4), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Zidovudine), Aurobindo Pharma Limited, effective February 10, 2025 (SPL set 51abd2ce-6be1-412d-b806-5f24935ac5e3), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Divalproex | Zidovudine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Bipolar disorder, Migraine, Seizures and epilepsy | HIV |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.194 per tablet 500 mg tablet | $0.464 per tablet 300 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once