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Related Experiment Videos

Valproic acid-induced eosinophilic pleural effusion.

Jeffrey D Kravetz1, Daniel G Federman

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. jeffkravetz@hotmail.com

Southern Medical Journal
|October 1, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Valproic acid, used for seizures and mood disorders, can cause eosinophilic pleural effusion. This rare side effect, marked by fever and blood eosinophilia, resolves upon drug discontinuation and recurs with reintroduction.

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Area of Science:

  • Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Valproic acid is a widely prescribed anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer.
  • Eosinophilic pleural effusion is a rare condition with various potential causes.
  • Previous literature has documented only one case linking valproic acid to this condition.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with fever and peripheral blood eosinophilia.
  • Diagnostic workup revealed eosinophilic pleural effusion.
  • No other causative factors for the effusion were identified.

Findings:

  • The patient's symptoms and pleural effusion resolved after discontinuing valproic acid.
  • Re-administration of valproic acid led to the recurrence of fever, eosinophilia, and pleural effusion.

Related Experiment Videos

  • This case strongly suggests a causal relationship between valproic acid and eosinophilic pleural effusion.

    • Implications:

    • Valproic acid should be considered in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic pleural effusion, especially in patients with concurrent fever and peripheral eosinophilia.
    • Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse effect of valproic acid.
    • Further investigation may be warranted to elucidate the mechanism of valproic acid-induced eosinophilic pleural effusion.