Blood ammonia level during valproic acid therapy.
We determined the blood ammonia level of epileptic patients in relation to valproic acid (VPA) therapy. A total determination of 256 specimens obtained from 174 cases were analyzed. The materials were assigned to the following three treatment groups: (a) VPA-monotherapy, (b) VPA-polytherapy and (c) non-administration of VPA. The distribution ranges of the blood ammonia level (micrograms/dl) were 40.5, 56.6 and 40.7 in mean, respectively. The VPA-polytherapy group showed a significantly higher level compared with the other two groups. On the other hand, the latter two groups showed no difference. There was a positive relationship between the blood ammonia and VPA serum levels with statistical significance. In conclusion, a critical factor causing hyperammonemia seemed to be the multiple use of antiepileptic drugs including VPA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014635:Valproic Acid; D000641:Ammonia