UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Valproic Acid and its Unique Antidote

Category: Toxicology

Keywords: valproic acid, poisoning, carnitine (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/11/2007 by Fermin Barrueto (Updated: 11/22/2024)
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Valproic Acid (Depakote) - Increased use for both seizure disorder, migraine prophylaxis and bipolar disorder - Causes hyperammonemia with or without hepatic insufficiency (Liver enzymes could be normal!) - Hyperammonemia can occur at therapeutic concentrations and overdose - If the patient is sedated and has hyperammonemia, consider carnitine therapy antidotal - Carnitine IV or PO: 50-100 mg/kg bolus or divided bid, safe to give