title: Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Utility of Valproic Acid Administered via Continuous Infusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Valproic acid is a versatile antiepileptic drug that is often used in the acute care setting. Intravenous valproic acid lends itself well to a continuous infusion as it exhibits a relatively short half-life. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of continuous infusion valproic acid in hospitalized patients with migraine and seizures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort study was performed utilizing information from the medical records of patients receiving an intravenous continuous infusion of valproic acid. Patients were included if they were aged 1 month to 85 years and they received a continuous infusion of valproic acid. Therapeutic response, common adverse effects, and the pharmacokinetic profile of valproic acid were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continuous infusion valproic acid led to a concentration within the desired range (50-100 μg/ml) in 83.4% of patients, a rate that was higher in pediatric patients. The clinical response rate was also higher in pediatric patients with seizures or migraines and appeared to be better when the concentration was >75 μg/ml. Analysis of safety parameters suggests similar safety considerations to valproic acid when administered via intermittent infusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous infusion valproic acid appears to be a safe, effective, and predictable manner by which to administer valproic acid to pediatric and adult patients admitted to the hospital.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Services, UK Healthcare, 800 Rose St. H110, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA. amcook0@email.uky.edu.
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Muhammad S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathias
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandra M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Albuja
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Meriem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bensalem-Owen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Siddharth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Baumann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid