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Valproic Acid–induced Hepatopathy: Nine New Fatalities in Germany from 1994 to 2003
Author(s) -
Koenig Stephan A.,
Buesing Deike,
Longin Elke,
Oehring Randi,
Häussermann Peter,
Kluger Gerhard,
Lindmayer Friedemann,
Hanusch Ralf,
Degen Ingrid,
Kuhn Hans,
Samii Kamrun,
Jungck Albrecht,
Brückner Reinhard,
Seitz Reinhild,
Boxtermann Wolfgang,
Weber Yvonne,
Knapp Rolf,
Richard Hans Helmut,
Weidner Birgit,
Kasper JohannesMartin,
Haensch CarlAlbrecht,
Fitzek Sabine,
Hartmann Margarete,
Borusiak Peter,
MüllerDeile Andrea,
Degenhardt Volker,
Korenke GeorgChristoph,
Hoppen Thomas,
Specht Ulrich,
Gerstner Thorsten
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00846.x
Subject(s) - valproic acid , medicine , epilepsy , pediatrics , side effect (computer science) , anticonvulsant , drug , surgery , pharmacology , psychiatry , computer science , programming language
Summary: Purpose: Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) commonly used for generalized and focal epilepsies. We provide an update on hepatotoxic side effects in Germany between 1994 and 2003. Methods: We mailed a questionnaire to all members of the German Section of the International League Against Epilepsy, asking for VPA‐induced side effects, especially severe side effects such as hepatopathy. Results: As a result of our questionnaire, we found 31 cases of reversible hepatotoxicity and nine cases of lethal hepatopathies in Germany from 1994 to 2003. Conclusions: The outcome of patients with severe hepatotoxicity is better than that in the past. The risk of a VPA‐induced hepatopathy is not limited to patients younger than 2 years, receiving polytherapy, or patients with congenital or acquired metabolic diseases.