Citation

Reactions Weekly 2014; 1506(1): 27.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s40278-014-1517-y

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Author InformationAn event is serious (FDA MedWatch definition) when the patient outcome is:* death* life-threatening* hospitalisation* disability* congenital anomaly* requires intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damageDrug overdoseA 25-year-old woman developed hyperammonaemia and hyperammonaemic encephalopathy after ingesting an overdose of valproic acid [Depakote] in a suicide attempt.The woman had a history of depression, purging-type bulimia, borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder; she had previously attempted suicide. She was admitted to the ICU after ingesting an unknown number of valproic acid pills [amount ingested and time since ingestion not stated], with alcohol. She had been receiving valproic acid 250mg at bed time for about 3 days as a mood stabiliser, switching when topiramate had failed. She reported that the change to valproic acid had worsened her depression, decreased her motivation, lowered her mood, caused suicidal thoughts and made her li

Language: en