Hyperammonemia following intravenous valproate loading

Epilepsy Res. 2009 Jul;85(1):65-71. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2009.02.012. Epub 2009 Mar 18.

Abstract

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) has been associated with hyperammonemia with and without encephalopathy. We report the frequent but transient nature of hyperammonemia following intravenous (IV) administration of loading doses of VPA.

Methods: Forty participants received a VPA loading dose (20 or 30 mg/kg) at 6 or 10mg/kg/min. All participants were monitored for signs of systemic and local intolerance. Serum VPA level, ammonia, complete blood count, bilirubin, transaminases, pancreatic enzymes, and level of consciousness were obtained at baseline, 1 and 24h after administration. Changes in ammonia levels were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results: Asymptomatic hyperammonemia occurred in 30 of 40 participants at 1h post-VPA infusion. Majority of the participants (66%) demonstrated decreasing ammonia concentrations at 24h post-infusion. Multivariable repeated-measures analysis indicates the lack of influence of VPA dose (p=0.8), VPA levels (p>0.24, all time points), infusion rate (p=0.41) and gender (0.68) on ammonia levels across time. Age (p=0.015), time since dosing (p=0.017) and co-therapy with enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (p=0.035) were significant predictors of changes in ammonia levels.

Conclusions: Hyperammonemia is a frequent but transient finding following intravenous administration of loading doses of VPA. Hyperammonemia was not associated with alteration in consciousness or hepatic transaminases.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ammonia / blood
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Anticonvulsants / blood
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperammonemia / chemically induced*
  • Injections, Intravenous / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects*
  • Valproic Acid / blood
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Valproic Acid
  • Ammonia
  • Bilirubin