ABSTRACT

A thirty-year-old female patient developed encephalopathy, together with severe EEG disorganization, decreased serum carnitine and slightly elevated ammonium levels after four days of valproic acid (VPA) administration. After ceşation of VPA therapy and initiation of carnitine supplementation, a rapid improvement was observed in EEG and clinical findings. Valproic acid may be aşociated with acute encephalopathy in patients with low serum carnitine levels even in the absence of hepatic dysfunction.

Keywords: Anticonvulsants/adverse effects, brain injuries, carnitine/blood/deficiency/therapeutic use, valproic acid/adverse effects