Citation

Özer D, Yildirim V, Ayyildiz A, Karakoç E, Yelken B. Journal of Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine 2019; 10(3): 96-98.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019)

DOI

10.33381/dcbybd.2019.2037

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used drug with various indications (psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, migraine etc.) and it has been used in many cases of suicide attempts. VPA intoxication may cause electrolyte imbalances, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, bone marrow suppression, and brain edema. The most common finding in VPA intoxication is coma and respiratory depression as a result of central nervous system suppression. Case reports emphasize that the efficacy of L-carnitine and various extracorporeal elimination techniques like intermittent hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapies in the treatment of VPA intoxication. In this report we present the case of a 34 year old female with VPA intoxication who was successfully treated with L-carnitine. © 2019 by Turkish Society of Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Medicine.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; case report; Hemodialysis; suicide attempt; Valproic acid; Drug abuse; epilepsy; clinical article; drug intoxication; coma; emergency ward; activated carbon; potassium chloride; electrolyte disturbance; drug efficacy; fever; valproic acid; heart rate; Glasgow coma scale; potassium; gluconate calcium; respiration depression; ammonia; calcium; lactate blood level; oxygen saturation; Article; unconsciousness; blood gas analysis; carnitine; blood pressure monitoring; loading drug dose; breathing rate; hyperammonemia; L-carnitine; blood carbon dioxide tension