We have located links that may give you full text access.
Case Reports
Journal Article
Review
Lesson of the month 1: Sodium valproate-induced encephalopathy.
A 69-year-old man developed reduced consciousness of sudden onset. Examination and parameters were normal, except for a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of six. Brain imaging and blood tests were also normal, except for high plasma ammonia. His past medical history included epilepsy, hypertension and colitis. He was taking multiple antiepileptic medications, including sodium valproate, with no recent dose alterations. Medical intervention led to the sodium valproate being stopped and naloxone being administered. The patient's level of responsiveness and ammonia levels gradually improved. The patient was also being treated with ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection and a newly developed syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion treated with demeclocycline. There is an association between long-term sodium valproate use and low carnitine levels, especially in the setting of polypharmacy. This in turn precipitates hyperammonaemia and encephalopathy. This case highlights the importance of an adequate drug history and the awareness of serious but uncommon adverse effects.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Haemodynamic monitoring during noncardiac surgery: past, present, and future.Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing 2024 April 31
Obesity pharmacotherapy in older adults: a narrative review of evidence.International Journal of Obesity 2024 May 7
2024 AHA/ACC/AMSSM/HRS/PACES/SCMR Guideline for the Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation 2024 May 9
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app