Weight Gain and Nocturnal Enuresis Associated with Sodium Valproate

Abstract

For the last 4. 5 years, side effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were observed in 48 of patients recieving AEDs. Their age ranged from 1 year 7 months to 29 years 2 months. All 7 patients with weight gain were treated with valproate (VFA). Inereased degree of obesity for 3-24 months resulted in obesity more than 30% in all with weight gain. VPA was discontinued in 4 cases because of obesity and consequently the body weight decreased in 3 cases. Nocturnal enuresis was associated with VPA in 5 cases, phenytoin in one and clonazepam in another. Enuresis occurred from the first day of treatment in 4 cases. Remission of the enuresis was achieved in all of the 4 cases in which AEDs were discontinued. The weight gain and enuresis during VPA treatment may be associated with a modulatory effect of VPA on the regulating centers of appetite and micturition in the hypothalamus. © 1990, JAPAN EPILEPSY SOCIETY. All rights reserved.