A case of valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy induced by rapid short-term dosage adjustment
10.3760/cma.j.cn113661-20250102-00004
- VernacularTitle:短期快速调整丙戊酸钠剂量致丙戊酸钠脑病1例
- Author:
Chenxi XU
1
;
Siwei HE
;
Zhenni YANG
;
Feng WAN
Author Information
1. 深圳市精神卫生中心 深圳市康宁医院 深圳市精神心理疾病临床医学研究中心，深圳 518118
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Valproic acid,administration and dosage;
Sodium valproate;
Valproate encephalopathy;
Bipolar disorder
- From:
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry
2025;58(9):710-713
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Sodium valproate (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug and mood stabilizer in both neurology and psychiatry. Valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE) is a rare but serious complication associated with its use. This paper reports a clinical case of a patient with bipolar disorder who developed VHE after self-administering, a rapid short-term dose escalation of VPA. The patient exhibited symptoms including nausea, vomiting, altered consciousness, and disorientation shortly after the dosage increase. Following prompt discontinuation of VPA and symptomatic treatment including cathartic therapy to promote drug elimination, the patient gradually regained consciousness and physical symptoms resolved. Through a review of this case and relevant literature, this article discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of VHE, to provide clinical reference for healthcare professionals.
