HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rawat, S. Articles by Swick, H. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rawat, S. Articles by Swick, H. M.

Valproic acid and secondary hyperammonemia

Department of Neurology, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, W1.

An 11-year-old girl with complex seizures was started on valproic acid WPA) in addition to clonazepam and ethosux-imide. Shortly thereafter, she developed marked hyperammonemia that was worsened by a protein load. The hyperammonemia improved somewhat when protein was not given, and it resolved on discontinuation of the valproic acid. No associated changes in serum transaminases or bilirubin were observed. Isolated hyperammonemia may occur soon after VPA ingestion and appears to be a relatively infrequent, reversible side effect. The mechanism of hyperammonemia probably differs from other manifestations of hepatotoxicity, such as elevated transaminases or frank hepatic failure.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Swick, Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Children's Hospital, PO Box 1997, Milwaukee, WI 53201.

Accepted for publication December 3, 1980.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. A. Ott, N. Campbell, and E. A. Dworek Valproic Acid Induced Hyperammonemia in a Patient With Schizoaffective Disorder Journal of Pharmacy Practice, February 1, 2007; 20(1): 82 - 92. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Mallet, S. Babin, and J. A Morais Valproic Acid-Induced Hyperammonemia and Thrombocytopenia in an Elderly Woman Ann. Pharmacother., October 1, 2004; 38(10): 1643 - 1647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Coulter Carnitine Deficiency in Epilepsy: Risk Factors and Treatment J Child Neurol, November 1, 1995; 10(2_suppl): 2S32 - 2S39. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. L. Coulter Review Article: Carnitine, Valproate, and Toxicity J Child Neurol, January 1, 1991; 6(1): 7 - 14. [Abstract] [PDF]