title: Rapid infusion with valproate sodium is well tolerated in patients with epilepsy.
abstract: Many IV antiepileptic drugs administered in emergency situations to patients with prolonged seizures have serious adverse effects. For this reason, the authors conducted a multicenter, open-label, prospective, dose-escalation study of IV valproate sodium administered to patients with epilepsy at rates of infusion of up to 6 mg/kg/minute and doses of up to 30 mg/kg. Valproate sodium had no clinically significant negative effects on blood pressure and pulse rate and caused only mild-to-moderate, reversible adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wheless
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Vazquez
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kanner
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pellock
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid