Sodium valproate Pregnancy: see this medicine in the DysNet teratogen register
ATC N03AG01 · WHO DDD 1.5 g (oral) · 500 mg gastro-resistant tablet
Class: Antiepileptics. ATC code N03AG01 stands for "valproic acid" in the WHO index, whose DDD is 1.5 g by the oral route [1].
The WHO assigns one DDD to valproic acid and its salts; the declared strength of sodium valproate is used as it stands. [2]
WHO Model List of Essential Medicines 2025: listed, core list and complementary list, also on the children’s list [3].
Indications on the WHO list (3)
- Epilepsy or seizures · core list · children’s list · 5. Medicines for neurological disorders 5.1. Medicines for central nervous system disorders 5.1.1. Antiseizure medicines · first added 1979
- Status epilepticus · complementary list · children’s list · 5. Medicines for neurological disorders 5.1. Medicines for central nervous system disorders 5.1.1. Antiseizure medicines · first added 2015
- Bipolar or related disorders · core list · 24. Medicines for mental and behavioural disorders 24.2. Medicines for mood disorders 24.2.2. Medicines for bipolar disorders · first added 1997
The WHO electronic list states that the 2025 PDF lists are binding: adults’ list, children’s list.
| Country | Packs | Kind of figure | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 4 | List price | €0.47 to €0.81 | €171.64 to €297.11 |
| Spain | 2 | List price | €0.36 to €0.38 | €131.95 to €136.88 |
| United Kingdom | 1 | Reimbursement tariff | €0.68 | €248.89 £210.97 |
Names, authorisations and literature
Trade names (40)
- France (12)
- DEPAKINE, DEPAKOTE, DIVALCOTE, VALPROATE DE SODIUM AGUETTANT, VALPROATE DE SODIUM ARROW, VALPROATE DE SODIUM ARROW L.P., VALPROATE DE SODIUM TEVA SANTE L.P., VALPROATE DE SODIUM VIATRIS L.P., DEPAKINE CHRONO*, MICROPAKINE L.P.*, VALPROATE DE SODIUM BIOGARAN L.P.*, VALPROATE DE SODIUM EG L.P.* [5] [6]
- Spain (6)
- DEPAKINE, ACIDO VALPROICO ALTAN*, ACIDO VALPROICO AUROVITAS*, ACIDO VALPROICO SEACROSS*, DEPAKINE CRONO*, VALPROATO SODICO AUROVITAS* [7] [6]
- Italy (7)
- ACIDO VALPROICO E SODIO VALPROATO EG, ACIDO VALPROICO E SODIO VALPROATO RATIOPHARM, ACIDO VALPROICO SANDOZ, DEPAKIN, SODIO VALPROATO AUROBINDO, SODIO VALPROATO AUROBINDO ITALIA, SODIO VALPROATO SEACROSS [6]
- United States (2)
- Depakote, Depakote Er [6]
- United States, discontinued (4)
- Depacon, Depakene, Depakote Cp, Stavzor [6]
- Canada (9)
- APO-DIVALPROEX, APO-VALPROIC ACID, DEPAKENE, EPIVAL, JAMP DIVALPROEX, JAMP VALPROIC ACID ORAL SOLUTION, MYLAN-DIVALPROEX, ODAN-VALPROIC ACID, PMS-VALPROIC ACID [6]
- In other languages
- acide valproïque, valproate de sodium (French); Valproinsäure (German); ácido valproico (Spanish); acido valproico (Italian); valproïnezuur (Dutch); valproato (Portuguese); acidum valproicum (Latin) [6]
Links lead to the official product page: the EPAR for the European Union, the public medicines database for France, the CIMA summary of product characteristics for Spain, the dm+d for the United Kingdom. An asterisk marks a name taken from the DysNet register only.
European public assessment reports, EPAR (0)
The European Medicines Agency's list holds no medicine with ATC code N03AG01: this medicine has no EPAR [8].
Literature (PubMed, 25,175 papers)
PubMed counts 25,175 papers on this medicine [9]. The selection gives the most recent of each type; the Method page says how it is made. See the search in PubMed ↗
Cochrane reviews (89)
- Brigo F, et al. Stiripentol add-on therapy for drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022. PubMed 36066395 ↗ doi ↗
- Nevitt SJ, et al. Antiepileptic drug monotherapy for epilepsy: a network meta-analysis of individual participant data. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022. PubMed 35363878 ↗ doi ↗
- Chang RS, et al. Antiepileptic drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022. PubMed 35129214 ↗ doi ↗
- Liu J, et al. Topiramate for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021. PubMed 34817852 ↗ doi ↗
- Offringa M, et al. Prophylactic drug management for febrile seizures in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021. PubMed 34131913 ↗ doi ↗
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (492)
- Fernández-Teruel A. Antidepressant-like effects of valproic acid in rodents go back to the 1980s: a comment to enrich the reviewed evidence by Goudarzi et al. (2026) "Valproic acid effects on stress-induced depression-like behavior in rodent models: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Stress. 2026. PubMed 42530025 ↗ doi ↗
- Goudarzi M, et al. Valproic acid effects on stress-induced depression-like behavior in rodent models: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stress. 2026. PubMed 41826267 ↗ doi ↗
- Bidares M, et al. Investigating seizures in bariatric surgery patients: Pre- and postoperative perspectives: A systematic review. Obes Pillars. 2026. PubMed 42799053 ↗ doi ↗
- Fornaro M, et al. Efficacy, acceptability, and related outcomes of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar mania: a systematic review and dose-related network meta-analysis across different age groups. J Affect Disord. 2026. PubMed 42526603 ↗ doi ↗
- Alshaqi O, et al. Infertility treatment in women with epilepsy: A systematic review. Epilepsy Behav. 2026. PubMed 42492305 ↗ doi ↗
Practice guidelines (58)
- Liang S, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diffuse glioma-related epilepsy: 2025 update. Cancer Lett. 2026. PubMed 41740829 ↗ doi ↗
- Robblee J, et al. 2025 guideline update to acute treatment of migraine for adults in the emergency department: The American Headache Society evidence assessment of parenteral pharmacotherapies. Headache. 2026. PubMed 41321235 ↗ doi ↗
Names and identifiers
- INN
- valproic acid source ↗
- CAS
- 99-66-1
- ATC
- N03AG01 (systemic)
- SNOMED CT
- 13965000, 264325000, 387080000, 387481005, 433011000221103, 5641004
- RxNorm
- 40254 ↗
- Wikidata
- Q240642 ↗, Q27261400 ↗, Q4347890 ↗
- Wikipedia
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valproate ↗
Names and identifiers taken from the DysNet register [6].
Health technology assessments (5)
The opinions of the assessment bodies of the pilot countries and of Germany, with a link to each opinion. The status shown is the one each body publishes.
France, HAS Transparency Committee (5)
SMR: actual clinical benefit. ASMR: improvement in actual clinical benefit, from I (major) to V (none). Opinions taken from the BDPM [5].
- CT-17707 · 12 June 2019 · Inscription (CT) · SMR Important · ASMR V · DEPAKINE
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par DEPAKINE 400 mg/4 ml, préparation injectable pour voie IV, flacon de 400 mg de poudre, ampoule de 4 ml de solvant est important dans l’indication de l’AMM.
ASMR : Cette présentation est un complément de gamme qui n’apporte pas d’amélioration du service médical rendu (ASMR V) par rapport à la présentation déjà inscrite.
- CT-14583 · 8 June 2016 · Renouvellement d'inscription (CT) · SMR Important · DEPAKINE
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu de ces spécialités reste important dans les indications de l’AMM.
- CT-14956 · 16 March 2016 · Renouvellement d'inscription (CT) · SMR Important · DEPAKOTE
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par DEPAKOTE reste important dans l’indication de l’AMM.
- CT-7388 · 13 January 2010 · Inscription (CT) · SMR Important · ASMR V · VALPROATE DE SODIUM ARROW L.P.
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu par cette spécialité est important.
ASMR : Cette spécialité est un complément de gamme qui n'apporte pas d'amélioration du service médical rendu (ASMR V).
- CT-4449 · 9 May 2007 · Inscription (CT) · SMR Important · ASMR V · VALPROATE DE SODIUM AGUETTANT
Wording of the opinion, in French
SMR : Le service médical rendu de cette spécialité est important dans les indications de l’A.M.M.
ASMR : Absence d’amélioration du service médical rendu.
England, NICE (0)
NICE has published no technology appraisal that names this medicine among the technologies appraised [10].
Scotland, SMC (0)
The Scottish Medicines Consortium has published no advice on this medicine [11].
Germany, G-BA (0)
The G-BA has run no early benefit assessment (AMNOG) of this medicine on its own [12].
Spain, AEMPS therapeutic positioning reports (0)
The AEMPS database of therapeutic positioning reports holds no report on this medicine [13].
How the figure is computed
Example, France: the pack DEPAKINE 500 mg, comprimé gastro-résistant, tube(s) polypropylène de 40 comprimé(s), costs €6.27. It holds 20 g, which is 13.33 DDD. The cost per DDD is €6.27 ÷ 13.33 = €0.47, and the annual cost at the WHO standard dose, list price, is that cost × 365 = €171.64.
France
Public price in France, including VAT and the per-pack dispensing fee. Source [5], read on 9 October 2026. ATC match: through the active substance (BDPM substance code), since the BDPM gives no ATC code.
Show the 4 packs
| Product | Pack | Price | DDD per pack | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose | Source line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEPAKINE 500 mg, comprimé gastro-résistantSANOFI WINTHROP INDUSTRIE | tube(s) polypropylène de 40 comprimé(s) | €6.27 | 13.33 | €0.47 | €171.64 | CIS 60184188 / CIP13 3400931922766substance code 05562 (SODIUM (VALPROATE DE)) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| DIVALCOTE 500 mg, comprimé gastro-résistantVIATRIS SANTE | 90 plaquette(s) aluminium de 1 comprimé(s) | €23.88 | 30 | €0.80 | €290.54 | CIS 67658315 / CIP13 3400930195574substance code 27265 (DIVALPROATE DE SODIUM) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| DIVALCOTE 500 mg, comprimé gastro-résistantVIATRIS SANTE | plaquette(s) aluminium de 90 comprimé(s) | €23.88 | 30 | €0.80 | €290.54 | CIS 67658315 / CIP13 3400930212578substance code 27265 (DIVALPROATE DE SODIUM) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
| DEPAKOTE 500 mg, comprimé gastro-résistantSANOFI WINTHROP INDUSTRIE | plaquette(s) PVC-Aluminium polyamide aluminium de 90 comprimé(s) | €24.42 | 30 | €0.81 | €297.11 | CIS 60797287 / CIP13 3400935444271substance code 27265 (DIVALPROATE DE SODIUM) in CIS_COMPO_bdpm |
Spain
Retail price including VAT (PVP IVA). Source [14][7], read on 9 October 2026. ATC match: ATC code of each national code, checked in CIMA.
Show the 2 packs
| Product | Pack | Price | DDD per pack | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose | Source line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEPAKINE 500 mg comprimidos gastrorresistentes, 100 comprimidosSANOFI AVENTIS, S.A | 100 comprimidos | €12.05 | 33.33 | €0.36 | €131.95 | Código Nacional 650005AEMPS CIMA, registration 54470 |
| DEPAKINE 500 mg comprimidos gastrorresistentes, 20 comprimidosSANOFI AVENTIS, S.A | 20 comprimidos | €2.50 | 6.67 | €0.38 | €136.88 | Código Nacional 650004AEMPS CIMA, registration 54470 |
United Kingdom
Drug Tariff basic price paid to the pharmacy, excluding VAT (Part VIIIA Category C). Source [15][16], read on 9 October 2026. ATC match: ATC code of the virtual product (VMP) in the dm+d.
Show the 1 pack
| Product | Pack | Price | DDD per pack | Cost per DDD | Annual cost at the WHO standard dose | Source line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium valproate 500mg gastro-resistant tablets | 30 tablet | £5.78 | 10 | £0.58 | £210.97€248.89 | VMPP SNOMED 36442611000001108dm+d browser, VMP 1701 |
References
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. ATC/DDD Index 2026 [Internet]. Oslo: Norwegian Institute of Public Health; [updated 2026 Jan 20; cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. DDD: definition and general considerations [Internet]. Oslo: Norwegian Institute of Public Health; [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://atcddd.fhi.no/ddd/
- World Health Organization. Electronic Essential Medicines List (eEML) [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://list.essentialmeds.org/
- European Central Bank. Euro foreign exchange reference rates, 9 October 2026 [Internet]. Frankfurt am Main: ECB; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/index.en.html
- Base de données publique des médicaments [Internet]. Paris: Ministère du Travail, de la Santé, des Solidarités et des Familles; 2026 [updated 2026 Oct 8; cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://base-donnees-publique.medicaments.gouv.fr/telechargement
- DysNet, the dysmelia network. Teratogen register [Internet]. [place unknown]: DysNet; 2026 [updated 2026 Sep 12; cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.dysnet.org/knowledge/teratogens/
- Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. CIMA: Centro de información de medicamentos [Internet]. Madrid: AEMPS; [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/
- European Medicines Agency. Download medicine data [Internet]. Amsterdam: EMA; 2026 [updated 2026 Oct 9; cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/download-medicine-data
- PubMed [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Technology appraisal guidance [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/published?ngt=Technology%20appraisal%20guidance
- Scottish Medicines Consortium. Medicines advice [Internet]. Glasgow: SMC; [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://scottishmedicines.org.uk/medicines-advice/
- Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss. Nutzenbewertung nach § 35a SGB V: Apixaban [Internet]. Berlin: G-BA; [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.g-ba.de/bewertungsverfahren/nutzenbewertung/
- Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Informes de posicionamiento terapéutico [Internet]. Madrid: AEMPS; [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.aemps.gob.es/medicamentos-de-uso-humano/evaluacion-de-tecnologias-sanitarias/informes-de-posicionamiento-terapeutico/
- Ministerio de Sanidad. Nomenclátor de facturación de octubre 2026 [Internet]. Madrid: Ministerio de Sanidad; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/profesionales/nomenclator.do
- NHS Business Services Authority. Drug Tariff Part VIIIA, October 2026 [Internet]. Newcastle upon Tyne: NHSBSA; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/drug-tariff/drug-tariff-part-viii
- NHS Business Services Authority. dm+d browser: NHS dictionary of medicines and devices [Internet]. Newcastle upon Tyne: NHSBSA; [updated 2026 Oct 1; cited 2026 Oct 9]. Available from: https://dmd-browser.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/