Hyperammonemia (valproate-induced)
- Stop/reduce valproate when clinically significant
- Check ammonia with encephalopathy—not routinely
- L-carnitine is used for severe toxicity/overdose
- Treat contributing infection, fasting or urea-cycle risk
- Normal LFTs do not exclude valproate hyperammonemia
- Severe encephalopathy may require dialysis
Use at a glance
- Stop/reduce valproate when clinically significant
Practical pearls
- Severe encephalopathy may require dialysis
Other practical pearls
- Check ammonia with encephalopathy—not routinely
- L-carnitine is used for severe toxicity/overdose
Safety / pitfalls
- Treat contributing infection, fasting or urea-cycle risk
- Normal LFTs do not exclude valproate hyperammonemia
Self-check
- What should be checked in Hyperammonemia (valproate-induced)?
ammonia with encephalopathy—not routinely.
- What should be treated in Hyperammonemia (valproate-induced)?
contributing infection, fasting or urea-cycle risk.
Drugs used for this (1)
All clinical uses · Open the interactive console ↗
