[Acute pancreatitis and valproic acid]

Abstract

An 11 year-old epileptic boy, treated with valproic acid developed after 11 months on therapy a severe acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis recurred 18 months after re-exposure to the same drug. Twenty-four cases of valproic-acid induced acute pancreatitis have been reported in the literature. However, it remains a major anticonvulsant drug whose tolerance is usually excellent. This complication, although exceptional needs to be known so that the treatment can be stopped in due-time if not tolerated or to avoid eventual recurrence.