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Epileptic seizures caused by low valproic acid levels from an interaction with meropenem
Author(s) -
Fudio S.,
Carcas A.,
Piñana E.,
Ortega R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2006.00743.x
Subject(s) - valproic acid , meropenem , epilepsy , medicine , pneumonia , anesthesia , pharmacology , antibiotics , chemistry , psychiatry , biochemistry , antibiotic resistance
Summary A 55‐years‐old woman was diagnosed with pneumonia and was treated with meropenem; 5 days later she developed epileptic seizures. She had been treated with valproic acid for 16 years to control her epileptic seizures. Her serum valproic acid concentration was low during treatment with meropenem than previously recorded despite an increase of valproic dose. As soon as administration of meropenem was withdrawn, valproic acid concentration increased to previous levels and her seizures stopped. Meropenem decreases valproic acid concentration, and may promote the development of epileptic seizures in previously controlled epileptic patients. The acute lowering of serum valproate produced by meropenem probably precludes their concomitant use.