title: Unusual drug reaction between valproate sodium and meropenem.
abstract: METHODS
  We describe here a rare case in which valproic acid (VPA) levels were affected by ertapenem but not by meropenem even though ertapenem and meropenem are in the same carbapenem class. A 68-year-old Filipino male treated with valproate for epilepsy and ertapenem for an infectious disease had decreased VPA levels during the first day of ertapenem therapy. His VPA level increased soon after terminating ertapenem therapy. Two types of carbapenems had different drug reactions with concomitant use of VPA in this patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Closer monitoring of VPA concentrations are necessitated using carbapenems for treating infection in patients being administered VPA. Another option is the use of anti-epileptic drugs other than VPA if concomitant use with a carbapenem is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea. okyoon7@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hyonok
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Diana H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077727:Ertapenem; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013845:Thienamycins; D047090:beta-Lactams; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077731:Meropenem; D000077727:Ertapenem