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Two cases of valproic acid poisoning treated with l-carnitine

Hong Kong Poison Information Centre, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

ML Tse

A&E Department, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

FL Lau

Hong Kong Poison Information Centre, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong; A&E Department, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong

Two cases of acute valproic acid poisoning with central nervous system depression and raised ammonia level without hepatotoxicity were reported. They were treated successfully with the use of the antidotes: L-carnitine and other supportive measures. Clinical manifestation and progress was described, and discussion is focused on the use of L-carnitine in valproic acid–induced hyperammonemia, from its mechanism to the clinical experiences in the literature. Based on the favorable response of our two cases and the literature review, we recommend the administration of intravenous L-carnitine in patients of valproic acid overdose with hyperammonemia or valproic acid–induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy and hepatotoxicity at a dose of 50�mg/kg every 8�h for the first initial 24�h with further individual assessment.

Key Words: antidotes • l-carnitine • poisoning • valproic acid

References

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Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 26, No. 12, 967-969 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0960327107087799


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Chan, Y. Articles by Lau, F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chan, Y. Articles by Lau, F. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?