Rapid infusion with valproate sodium is well tolerated in patients with epilepsy

Neurology. 2004 Oct 26;63(8):1507-8. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000142077.14142.aa.

Abstract

Many IV antiepileptic drugs administered in emergency situations to patients with prolonged seizures have serious adverse effects. For this reason, the authors conducted a multicenter, open-label, prospective, dose-escalation study of IV valproate sodium administered to patients with epilepsy at rates of infusion of up to 6 mg/kg/minute and doses of up to 30 mg/kg. Valproate sodium had no clinically significant negative effects on blood pressure and pulse rate and caused only mild-to-moderate, reversible adverse events.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacokinetics
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • Status Epilepticus / drug therapy*
  • Status Epilepticus / prevention & control
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Valproic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects
  • Valproic Acid / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Valproic Acid