Question: what is the difference between valproic acid and depakote?
Answer: Divalproex sodium (Depakote), sodium valproate, and valproic acid are often confused. Valproic acid is the protonated form – in case that term doesn't bring back memories from biochemistry, that means that the compound is bonded to a proton (H+). Sodium valproate, on the other hand, is the sodium salt of valproic acid.