Valproic acid induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy: A case report

Abstract

Valproic acid (VPA) is commonly used drug to treat variety of anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer in psychiatric and neurologic cases. It is thought to be a safe drug with a large therapeutic aspect.Uncommonly, hyperammonemia can be progressed by the usage of valproate and VPA induced hyperammonemia delirium-like condition by extrahepatic origin can be constituted. Being unrecognized of this situation in a timely manner can result in encephalopathy and even death. The measurement of the level of ammonia is important to establish a potentially lethal but reversible situation. In this case study, it is aimed that to present hyperammonemia related to the use of psychotropic drugs and to present a patient with hyperammonemia during VPA and antipsychotic use without a medical disease except bipolar disorder in the past.