Valproate-Induced Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy in General Hospital Patients With One or More Psychiatric Disorders

Divalproex sodium/valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug approved for use in epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Valproate-induced hyperammonemia occurs in up to 50% of VPA-treated patients, some of whom may become encephalopathic. Valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE) is thought to be rare, and for a variety of reasons, the diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion.

Source: Psychosomatics - February 23, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Chandani Lewis, George E. Tesar, Roman Dale Tags: Original Research Reports Source Type: research