Valproic acid overdose: a case report and review of therapy.
Valproic acid (VPA) is available as an antiepileptic therapy and has been used to treat bipolar disorder and migraine headaches. Reports to poison centers of VPA exposures have increased over the last few years, and there have been concerns about delayed toxicity after an overdose of VPA. We report a case of a woman with acute overdose of VPA who developed many of the complications commonly associated with the medication and review the current options available for treatment. There are many clinical manifestations of VPA overdose that are characteristic for the drug.
Houghton
Bruce L
BL
Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Houghton@creighton.edu
Bowers
James B
JB
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002606:Charcoal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D002606:Charcoal; D009270:Naloxone; D014635:Valproic Acid