Does Lithium Interact With Valproic Acid?
Lithium Co-administration of valproate (500 mg BID) and lithium carbonate (300 mg TID) to normal male volunteers (n = 16) had no effect on the steady-state kinetics of lithium.
Severity: Minor
Severity basis: drug interactions section. Combining Lithium (Mood stabilizer) and Valproic Acid (Anticonvulsant / mood stabilizer) is classified as a minor interaction.
What to Do
This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How This Interaction Works
Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Lithium is a mood stabilizer and Valproic Acid is a anticonvulsant / mood stabilizer; together they are documented as a minor interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.
If You Take Both Medications
If you have been prescribed both Lithium and Valproic Acid, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
From the FDA Label
Lithium Co-administration of valproate (500 mg BID) and lithium carbonate (300 mg TID) to normal male volunteers (n = 16) had no effect on the steady-state kinetics of lithium.
Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 1286ab49-fa34-488e-e063-6394a90ad582).
Valproic Acid
Anticonvulsant / mood stabilizer
Brands: Depakote, Depakene
View Valproic Acid safety profileCheck these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take Lithium and Valproic Acid together?
Lithium and Valproic Acid have a documented minor interaction. This is generally a minor interaction, but review it with your pharmacist to be sure it is safe for you.
How serious is the Lithium and Valproic Acid interaction?
It is classified as a minor interaction, based on the FDA label's drug interactions section. A minor interaction is usually limited in effect but is still worth discussing with your care team.
What should I do if I'm taking both Lithium and Valproic Acid?
If you have been prescribed both Lithium and Valproic Acid, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
Other Lithium Interactions
- Lithium + Olanzapine(contraindicated)
- Lithium + Amiodarone(moderate)
- Lithium + Aripiprazole(moderate)
- Lithium + Benazepril(moderate)
- Lithium + Canagliflozin(moderate)
- Lithium + Carbamazepine(moderate)
- Lithium + Dapagliflozin(moderate)
- Lithium + Empagliflozin(moderate)
- Lithium + Fluoxetine(moderate)
- Lithium + Hydrochlorothiazide(moderate)
- Lithium + Insulin Aspart(moderate)
- Lithium + Insulin Glargine(moderate)
- Lithium + Lisinopril(moderate)
- Lithium + Metronidazole(moderate)
- Lithium + Phenytoin(moderate)
- Lithium + Ramipril(moderate)
- Lithium + Spironolactone(moderate)
- Lithium + Topiramate(moderate)
- Lithium + Valsartan(moderate)
- Lithium + Amphetamine Dextroamphetamine(minor)
- Lithium + Buspirone(minor)
- Lithium + Celecoxib(minor)
- Lithium + Citalopram(minor)
- Lithium + Desvenlafaxine(minor)
- Lithium + Duloxetine(minor)
- Lithium + Enalapril(minor)
- Lithium + Escitalopram(minor)
- Lithium + Furosemide(minor)
- Lithium + Indomethacin(minor)
- Lithium + Irbesartan(minor)
- Lithium + Lisdexamfetamine(minor)
- Lithium + Losartan(minor)
- Lithium + Meloxicam(minor)
- Lithium + Mirtazapine(minor)
- Lithium + Naproxen(minor)
- Lithium + Nortriptyline(minor)
- Lithium + Olmesartan(minor)
- Lithium + Ondansetron(minor)
- Lithium + Paroxetine(minor)
- Lithium + Quetiapine(minor)
- Lithium + Risperidone(minor)
- Lithium + Sertraline(minor)
- Lithium + Telmisartan(minor)
- Lithium + Tramadol(minor)
- Lithium + Trazodone(minor)
- Lithium + Venlafaxine(minor)
- Lithium + Verapamil(minor)
Other Valproic Acid Interactions
- Valproic Acid + Olanzapine(contraindicated)
- Valproic Acid + Topiramate(major)
- Valproic Acid + Amitriptyline(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Aripiprazole(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Aspirin(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Carbamazepine(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Clarithromycin(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Diazepam(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Lamotrigine(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Nortriptyline(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Warfarin(moderate)
- Valproic Acid + Acetaminophen(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Clonazepam(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Folic Acid(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Gabapentin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Lorazepam(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Phenytoin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Pregabalin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Quetiapine(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Rifampin(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Risperidone(minor)
- Valproic Acid + Sertraline(minor)