French/English Drug Names: divalproate de sodium

I recently translated a scientific article about an SAE induced by divalproate de sodium. This meant I would have to address the issue of how to translate this drug name. Chemical formulations and drug brand names are typically very similar in English. Just remove an E or change a Y to an I, or even switch the order and remove the French DE. However, in this instance, I found three possible translations, which was quite confusing. It was time for more research. So, I put on my scientist hat and started digging.

First, the English options I considered were: divalproex sodium (Depakote), sodium valproate, and valproic acid. My research told me that these are all valproates. So far, so good, I thought.

Next, I looked back at the French drug name alongside these options, looking for clues in the language. Do you see how divalproate de sodium includes the sodium of both divalproex sodium and sodium valproate, and the DI- of divalproex sodium, and, finally, the valproate found in sodium valproate and valproic acid. That’s where the confusion was lurking!

Next up, in my research, I found the following from the Epilepsy Foundation (great resource by the way!).

“Valproic acid dissociates to the valproate ion in the gastrointestinal tract, so its effects are virtually identical to those of other forms of valproate. These include oral divalproex sodium (Depakote or Depakote ER in the United States) and sodium valproate (Epilim in the UK and Australia), as well as an injectable solution of valproate sodium (Depacon). The divalproex sodium (Depakote) products, which are slower to dissolve, are promoted as less apt to cause stomach upset.”

This tells me that valproic acid, divalproex sodium, and sodium valproate are all types of valproates, all used to treat seizures. The differences seem to lie in their absorption and metabolism.

Then, I found the following information in a research article from 2018 “… divalproex sodium (Depokote®), an enteric coated compound containing equal proportions of valproic acid and sodium valproate…”

AHA! That explains it: di indicates the equal parts, and the French drug name uses “valproate” and “sodium” because it contains equal parts of both!
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THUS, in the end, I opted to translate the name as divalproex sodium, aka Depakote in the US.