title: Valproic Acid: Special Considerations and Targeted Monitoring.
abstract: Valproic acid (VPA) is a medication used to treat multiple neuroscience conditions. It is an inexpensive and useful medication, with a low incidence of adverse drug events. Nonetheless, optimal clinical outcomes require that a series of screening and laboratory steps be followed before the initiation of VPA therapy. An additional aspect of pharmacovigilance is to recognize clinical patterns signaling genetic traits that preclude VPA, background of the black box warnings, targeted assessments, and laboratory monitoring indicated while on VPA. The intention of this article is to provide a focused summary of published information clinically relevant to prescribing and monitoring these patients.
authors.affiliation: Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Angela Collins-Yoder, PhD RN CCNS ACNS BC, at acollins-yoder@ua.edu. She is a Clinical Professor, Capstone College of Nursing, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, and a Critical Care Clinical Specialist, Consulting Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola, FL. Jordan Lowell, BSN RN, is Staff Nurse, Children's Hospital of Alabama, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Collins-Yoder
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lowell
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D065816:Neuroscience Nursing; D019338:Polypharmacy; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid