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Chronic valproic acid intoxication: reversal by naloxone
1Scottish Poisons Information Bureau, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, UK. ruben.thanacoody@luht.scot.nhs.uk
Emergency Medicine Journal : EMJ
|August 23, 2007
Summary
A woman experienced severe confusion and tremors due to high sodium valproate levels. Naloxone rapidly reversed these symptoms, suggesting its use for valproate toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Sodium valproate is a common mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder.
- Valproate toxicity can manifest with neurological symptoms.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old female patient on sodium valproate developed acute confusion, tremulousness, apnoeic episodes, reduced consciousness, and myoclonic movements.
- Her plasma valproate concentration was significantly elevated at 848 micromol/l.
Findings:
- Rapid clinical improvement was observed following the administration of 0.8 mg of naloxone.
- This suggests a potential role for naloxone in managing valproate-induced neurological dysfunction.
Implications:
- Naloxone may serve as a valuable antidote for reversing acute or chronic valproate toxicity.
- Further research is warranted to confirm naloxone's efficacy and safety in treating valproate toxicity.
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