Case: Valproat-Induced Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy

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Aksu A. U., ARHAN E., DEMİR E., Ozcelik A. A., Serdaroglu A., GÜCÜYENER K.

GAZI MEDICAL JOURNAL, cilt.27, sa.2, ss.85-86, 2016 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 27 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2016
  • Doi Numarası: 10.12996/gmj.2016.27
  • Dergi Adı: GAZI MEDICAL JOURNAL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.85-86
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Valproate induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE) is a severe adverse effect of medicine. An epileptic patient with an acute hyperammonemia after the addition of valproic acid to his treatment presented with acute mental status changes consistent with encephalopathy. Notably, plasma ammonia level was 2 times of the upper limit, despite normal liver function tests. Plasma valproic acid level was in the therapeutic range. His symptoms resolved with the discontinuation of valproic acid and L-carnitine administration. We discuss this case and review the possible mechanisms of valproic acid associated encephalopathy and the efficacy of L-carnitine.