The use of valproic acid in critically ill patients can result in toxic encephalopathy due to elevated plasma concentrations of what compound?
The use of valproic acid (e.g., Depakote) in critically ill patients frequently results in elevated plasma concentrations of ammonia. The hyperammonemic encephalopathy associated with valproic acid can be treated with levocarnitine, lactulose, or a combination of the two.
Nicholson C, Fowler M, Mullen C, Cunningham B. Evaluation of levocarnitine, lactulose, and combination therapy for the treatment of valproic acid-induced hyperammonemia in critically ill patients. Epilepsy Res. 2021 Dec;178:106806. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106806. Epub 2021 Nov 2. PMID: 34763268.
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