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[Acute pancreatitis induced by valproic acid].
L'Encephale
|April 2, 2013
Summary
Valproic acid, used for bipolar disorder, can cause acute pancreatitis, even after long-term use. This rare side effect has no predictable factors and is independent of dosage, highlighting the need for vigilance in patients on this medication.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Valproic acid is a common treatment for bipolar disorder, known for its low toxicity.
- Drug-induced pancreatitis affects 1-2% of patients and requires excluding other causes.
- Valproic acid is among the anticonvulsants implicated in drug-induced pancreatitis.
Observation:
- A 49-year-old man with bipolar disorder developed acute pancreatitis after 15 years on valproic acid.
- The patient's pancreatitis was severe (Balthazar stage C).
- Valproic acid was identified as the likely cause after thorough investigation.
Findings:
- Acute pancreatitis can be induced by valproic acid, even with prolonged use.
- The risk is unpredictable, unrelated to dose or blood levels.
- Stopping valproic acid led to recovery, confirming its role.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider valproic acid as a potential cause of pancreatitis in bipolar disorder patients.
- Vigilance is crucial, especially in vulnerable populations like those with alcohol use disorder, cancer, or HIV.
- Further research is needed to identify predictive factors for this rare adverse event.
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