Yellow nail pigmentation following Depakote therapy. 2003

Robert Buka, and Rachel Hille, and Patricia McCormack
Department of Dermatology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.

Two months after being started on Depakote (divalproex sodium: Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Park, Illinois), a 57-year-old female noticed the development of a transverse yellow band on all 20 proximal nails that eventually led to complete nail plate discoloration. Six to eight weeks after discontinuation of Depakote, normalization of her proximal nail plates was noted. Other anticonvulsants such as phenytoin and lithium have been documented to lead to nail pigmentation. Although several dermatologic reactions to Depakote have been described, we are not aware of any reported cases of nail discoloration secondary to Depakote. While our patient did have a history of renal disease with azotemia, we find it highly unlikely to be a contributing factor secondary to the fact that our patient's abnormality did not present similar to the nail abnormalities of renal disease. In conclusion, we found the temporal relationship between Depakote initiation/discontinuation and the nail discoloration to be highly indicative of Depakote as the source. Other anticonvulsants such as phenytoin and lithium have been documented to lead to nail pigmentation. Although several dermatologic reactions to Depakote have been described, we are not aware of any reported cases of nail discoloration secondary to Depakote. While our patient did have a history of renal disease with azotemia, we find it highly unlikely to be a contributing factor secondary to the fact that our patient's abnormality did not present similar to the nail abnormalities of renal disease. In conclusion, we found the temporal relationship between Depakote initiation/discontinuation and the nail discoloration to be highly indicative of Depakote as the source.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009260 Nail Diseases Diseases of the nail plate and tissues surrounding it. The concept is limited to primates. Disease, Nail,Diseases, Nail,Nail Disease
D010859 Pigmentation Disorders Diseases affecting PIGMENTATION, including SKIN PIGMENTATION. Incontinentia Pigmenti Achromians,Ito Syndrome,Schamberg's Disease,Schamberg Disease,Disease, Schamberg,Disease, Schamberg's,Disorder, Pigmentation,Disorders, Pigmentation,Pigmentation Disorder,Schambergs Disease,Syndrome, Ito
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001714 Bipolar Disorder A major affective disorder marked by severe mood swings (manic or major depressive episodes) and a tendency to remission and recurrence. Affective Psychosis, Bipolar,Bipolar Disorder Type 1,Bipolar Disorder Type 2,Bipolar Mood Disorder,Depression, Bipolar,Manic Depression,Manic Disorder,Manic-Depressive Psychosis,Psychosis, Manic-Depressive,Type 1 Bipolar Disorder,Type 2 Bipolar Disorder,Psychoses, Manic-Depressive,Bipolar Affective Psychosis,Bipolar Depression,Bipolar Disorders,Bipolar Mood Disorders,Depression, Manic,Depressions, Manic,Disorder, Bipolar,Disorder, Bipolar Mood,Disorder, Manic,Manic Depressive Psychosis,Manic Disorders,Mood Disorder, Bipolar,Psychoses, Bipolar Affective,Psychoses, Manic Depressive,Psychosis, Bipolar Affective,Psychosis, Manic Depressive
D014511 Uremia A clinical syndrome associated with the retention of renal waste products or uremic toxins in the blood. It is usually the result of RENAL INSUFFICIENCY. Most uremic toxins are end products of protein or nitrogen CATABOLISM, such as UREA or CREATININE. Severe uremia can lead to multiple organ dysfunctions with a constellation of symptoms. Uremias
D014635 Valproic Acid A fatty acid with anticonvulsant and anti-manic properties that is used in the treatment of EPILEPSY and BIPOLAR DISORDER. The mechanisms of its therapeutic actions are not well understood. It may act by increasing GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID levels in the brain or by altering the properties of VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNELS. Dipropyl Acetate,Divalproex,Sodium Valproate,2-Propylpentanoic Acid,Calcium Valproate,Convulsofin,Depakene,Depakine,Depakote,Divalproex Sodium,Ergenyl,Magnesium Valproate,Propylisopropylacetic Acid,Semisodium Valproate,Valproate,Valproate Calcium,Valproate Sodium,Valproic Acid, Sodium Salt (2:1),Vupral,2 Propylpentanoic Acid
D018692 Antimanic Agents Agents that are used to treat bipolar disorders or mania associated with other affective disorders. Antimanic Drugs,Antimanic Effect,Antimanic Effects,Antimanics,Agents, Antimanic,Drugs, Antimanic,Effect, Antimanic,Effects, Antimanic

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