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Book

Valproate Toxicity

Ashish R. Patel  1 , Shivaraj Nagalli  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
.
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Free Books & Documents
Book

Valproate Toxicity

Ashish R. Patel et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

The valproate ion is the therapeutically active substance in valproic acid, sodium valproate, and divalproex. Valproate is commonly used for generalized and partial seizures, bipolar disorders, schizoaffective disorders, neuropathic pain, and migraine prophylaxis. Valproate toxicity can occur accidentally and intentionally. Toxicity is most likely to occur with dose ramping, in hypoalbuminemia, from drug-drug interactions, or in attempts to cause self-harm.

Patients with acute valproate overdose typically experience hyperammonemia, encephalopathy, and hepatotoxicity. Symptoms consistent with severe valproate overdose include hypotension, tachycardia, respiratory depression, metabolic acidosis, cerebral edema, and valproate-related hyperammonemic encephalopathy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Ashish Patel declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Shivaraj Nagalli declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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