Valproate-induced delirium in a demented patient. 2009

P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Mater Domini University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy. pietro.gareri@alice.it

In this study we report a case of valproate-induced delirium in a patient affected with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A 75-year-old woman with AD presented moderate cognitive impairment associated to behavioral disorders, characterized by aggression, agitation, severe insomnia. She was treated with galantamine, promazine, acetylsalicylic acid and pantoprazole. Since behavioral disorders worsened more and more, home neurological consultation was asked. The neurologist prescribed a mood stabilizer, sodium valproate 500 mg daily for the first week and then, twice a day and stopped promazine. After an apparent initial benefit, about 16 days later, patient suddenly developed hyperactive delirium. It was characterized by worsening of insomnia and agitation, severe confusion, delusions, visual hallucinations alternated to sedation. She became progressively unable to walk and completely dependent in daily living activities. An urgent geriatric consultation was performed at patient's home; physical examination showed mild dehydration, normal blood pressure. Oxygen saturation and electrocardiogram were normal. Sodium valproate was immediately stopped and rehydration was performed. The patient was admitted to a Geriatric Unit, where organic and metabolic damages were excluded. During the hospital stay the patient was agitated, aggressive, confused; intramuscular haloperidol 5mg and saline intravenous infusion 1500 cc daily were performed, they were partly successful. Three days after she was discharged and continued treatment with oral haloperidol 5mg daily. One week later the patient recovered and she is at present healthy. This is a case report of valproate-induced delirium. The Naranjo scale scored 7, classifying this drug-related event as probable. The present case report suggests the need for minimizing the use of psychoactive drugs in elderly demented patients, whether possible; age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics suggest the opportunity of a careful evaluation and a slow titration of treatments in these patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003693 Delirium A disorder characterized by CONFUSION; inattentiveness; disorientation; ILLUSIONS; HALLUCINATIONS; agitation; and in some instances autonomic nervous system overactivity. It may result from toxic/metabolic conditions or structural brain lesions. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp411-2) Delirium of Mixed Origin,Subacute Delirium,Delirium, Subacute,Deliriums, Subacute,Mixed Origin Delirium,Mixed Origin Deliriums,Subacute Deliriums
D003704 Dementia An acquired organic mental disorder with loss of intellectual abilities of sufficient severity to interfere with social or occupational functioning. The dysfunction is multifaceted and involves memory, behavior, personality, judgment, attention, spatial relations, language, abstract thought, and other executive functions. The intellectual decline is usually progressive, and initially spares the level of consciousness. Senile Paranoid Dementia,Amentia,Familial Dementia,Amentias,Dementia, Familial,Dementias,Dementias, Familial,Dementias, Senile Paranoid,Familial Dementias,Paranoid Dementia, Senile,Paranoid Dementias, Senile,Senile Paranoid Dementias
D004569 Electroencephalography Recording of electric currents developed in the brain by means of electrodes applied to the scalp, to the surface of the brain, or placed within the substance of the brain. EEG,Electroencephalogram,Electroencephalograms
D005260 Female Females
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
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
D018682 GABA Agents Substances used for their pharmacological actions on GABAergic systems. GABAergic agents include agonists, antagonists, degradation or uptake inhibitors, depleters, precursors, and modulators of receptor function. gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Agents,GABA Effect,GABA Effects,GABAergic Agent,GABAergic Agents,GABAergic Effect,GABAergic Effects,Acid Agents, gamma-Aminobutyric,Agent, GABAergic,Agents, GABA,Agents, GABAergic,Agents, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,Effect, GABA,Effect, GABAergic,Effects, GABA,Effects, GABAergic,gamma Aminobutyric Acid Agents

Related Publications

P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
January 2002, The Journal of clinical psychiatry,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
December 2015, Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
January 2010, Turk psikiyatri dergisi = Turkish journal of psychiatry,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
January 1998, International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
May 2006, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
March 2012, European journal of internal medicine,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
August 2010, Journal of clinical psychopharmacology,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
March 2012, British journal of clinical pharmacology,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
September 2007, International journal of geriatric psychiatry,
P Gareri, and R Lacava, and A Cotroneo, and V Bambara, and N Marigliano, and A Castagna, and D S Costantino, and G Ruotolo, and G de Sarro
January 2009, Case reports in medicine,
Copied contents to your clipboard!