valproate sodium + divalproex sodium

Depacon IV and Depakote ER is a combination drug regimen consisting of valproate sodium (administered intravenously as Depacon) and divalproex sodium (administered orally as Depakote Extended Release). Both components are derivatives of valproic acid, a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer. The regimen works by multiple mechanisms, including the blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels, the inhibition of GABA-degrading enzymes (such as GABA transaminase and succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase) to increase brain GABA levels, and the inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) to modulate gene expression. Developed by Abbott Laboratories (now AbbVie), this specific sequential intravenous-to-oral loading regimen has been clinically evaluated in an open-label pilot study sponsored by Thomas Jefferson University for the treatment and prevention of cluster headaches during an active cycle.

Other names

Depacon + Depakote ERDepacon IV and Depakote ERsodium valproate + divalproex sodiumvalproic acid + divalproex sodium