Acute hyponatremia with accompanying hyperammonemia secondary to divalproex sodium: A case report

Abstract

Divalproex sodium (DVP) is an antiepileptic medication that also has mood stabilizing properties for patients with mental health disorders. Currently, there are a small number of case reports discussing the incidence of hyponatremia that occurs as an adverse effect of DVP. After completion of a thorough literature search, we present the first case report describing acute hyponatremia with accompanying hyperammonemia secondary to DVP use. This case describes a 44-year-old male patient who experienced hyponatremia with accompanying hyperammonemia following initiation of DVP for schizoaffective disorder. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider monitoring electrolytes, in addition to liver function and platelets, with the initiation of therapy or increase in daily dosage. Given the drug’s action at voltage-gated sodium channels, changes in serum sodium could be expected.