Valproate Induced Hypertensive Urgency
Mauran Sivananthan1, Sarah Mohiuddin1
1Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA.
Case Reports in Psychiatry
|July 13, 2016
Summary
Valproate medication can cause hypertensive urgency, a dangerous rise in blood pressure, in children. Stopping the drug stabilized the patient's blood pressure, highlighting a critical safety concern.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Valproate is a widely prescribed anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing medication.
- Hypertension is a potential adverse effect of various medications, but less commonly reported with valproate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of hypertensive urgency in a child initiated on valproate.
- To raise awareness among clinicians regarding this potential adverse effect.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 8-year-old male patient.
- Clinical observation of blood pressure response to valproate initiation and discontinuation.
Main Results:
- The patient developed hypertensive urgency shortly after starting valproate therapy.
- Initial antihypertensive treatments were ineffective.
- Blood pressure normalized upon cessation of valproate.
Conclusions:
- Valproate may be associated with the risk of precipitating hypertensive urgency in pediatric patients.
- Clinicians should monitor blood pressure closely in children receiving valproate, especially those with pre-existing risk factors for hypertension.
- Discontinuation of valproate should be considered in cases of unexplained severe hypertension during treatment.
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