title: Lack of relationship between sodium valproate-induced adverse effects and the plasma concentration of its metabolite 2-propylpenten-4-oic acid.
abstract: The concentrations of valproic acid (VPA) and of its metabolites 3-oxo-VPA and 4-en-VPA were measured in the plasma of 12 selected epileptic patients 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after administration of a loading dose of VPA. Four of the patients, all on polytherapy, had had short-term adverse effects during chronic VPA treatment, and in them there has been abnormal NH3-values after a test doese of VPA. Eight patients (4 on monotherapy and 4 on polytherapy) had been free from adverse effects. No significant difference in the VPA, 3-oxo-VPA and 4-en-VPA concentrations was found between the three groups of patients. Accumulation of 4-en-VPA is not involved in the short-term adverse effects and hyperammonaemia induced by VPA.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; C045022:2-propyl-4-pentenoic acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000641:Ammonia