[Valproate induced hypoactive delirium in a bipolar disorder patient with psychotic features]. 2010

Sakir Ozen, and Israfil Bülbül, and Etem Soyuçok
ozensakir@gmail.com

Delirium may present with hyperactive, hypoactive or mixed clinical pictures. The signs of hypoactive delirium are lethargy, confusion, apathy, hypersomnia, muttering, difficulty in maintaining attention, and difficulty in understanding and performing commands. Valproate is commonly used for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorders. It is also used for the management of alcohol withdrawal delirium and agitative-aggressive deliriums. However, few reports are available about the valproate-induced delirium. In this report, we present a 46 years-old woman with bipolar disorder for 14 years. During her last two hospital admissions, she had been diagnosed with manic episode with psychotic features and she had received valproate. She experienced three hypoactive delirium episodes lasting 2-3 days throughout the treatment period of first week. The patient predominantly had the following signs; vomiting, hypersalivation, confusion, drowsiness, dysphasia, and hypoactivity. At the first day of delirium episode, serum valproate level was found to be within the therapeutic range (98.4, 117.1, and 65.6 mug/ml; respectively). In addition, she had normal results of cranial MRI, complete blood count, urine analysis, electrocardiogram, ALT, AST, albumin, bilirubin, BUN, creatinine and electrolytes. The serum ammonia level of the patient could not been measured due to limitations of laboratory facilities. The patient's consciousness improved dramatically 2-3 days after cessation of valproate. In conclusion, valproate can induce delirium at therapeutic blood levels in some patients via various mechanisms and this side effect has to be considered during valproate use.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D001774 Blood Chemical Analysis An examination of chemicals in the blood. Analysis, Blood Chemical,Chemical Analysis, Blood,Analyses, Blood Chemical,Blood Chemical Analyses,Chemical Analyses, Blood
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
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
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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