Valproic acid (VPA) was given to 24 epileptic patients who were already being treated with other antiepileptic drugs. A standardized loading dose of VPA was administered, and venous blood was sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. Ammonia (NH3) was higher in patients who, during continuous therapy, complained of drowsiness (7 patients) than in those who were symptom-free (17 patients), although VPA plasma levels were similar in both groups. By measuring VPA-induced changes of blood NH3 content, it may be possible to identify patients at higher risk of obtundation when VPA is given chronically.
Acute changes of blood ammonia may predict short-term adverse effects of valproic acid / G. Zaccara;R. Campostrini;M. Paganini;F. Moroni;T. Valenza;G. Targioni;G. Arnetoli;R. Zappoli;A. Baruzzi. - In: NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 0028-3878. - STAMPA. - 34:(1984), pp. 1519-1521.
Acute changes of blood ammonia may predict short-term adverse effects of valproic acid.
MORONI, FLAVIO;
1984
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) was given to 24 epileptic patients who were already being treated with other antiepileptic drugs. A standardized loading dose of VPA was administered, and venous blood was sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. Ammonia (NH3) was higher in patients who, during continuous therapy, complained of drowsiness (7 patients) than in those who were symptom-free (17 patients), although VPA plasma levels were similar in both groups. By measuring VPA-induced changes of blood NH3 content, it may be possible to identify patients at higher risk of obtundation when VPA is given chronically.I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.