HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bodensteiner, J. B. Articles by Golden, G. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bodensteiner, J. B. Articles by Golden, G. S.

Asterixis associated with sodium valproate

From the Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics (Drs. Bodensteiner and Golden) and the Department of Neurology (Dr. Morris), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.

Intoxication with most anticonvulsants can produce asterixis. Asterixis rarely occurs with therapeutic serum anticonvulsant levels. We report two patients with asterixis who were taking valproic acid and had serum levels within the therapeutic range. Neither patient had clinical or laboratory evidence of hepatotoxicity. Only one other patient has been reported with valproate-associated asterixis in the absence of toxic serum drug levels or hepatotoxicity. Asterixis seems to be due to a central effect of the drug unrelated to hepatotoxicity or sedation.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Bodensteiner, Department of Neurology, Oklahoma Children's Memorial Hospital, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73126.

Accepted for publication April 21, 1980.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C Zadikoff, R P Munhoz, A N Asante, N Politzer, R Wennberg, P Carlen, and A Lang Movement disorders in patients taking anticonvulsants J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, February 1, 2007; 78(2): 147 - 151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Capovilla, F. Beccaria, P. Veggiotti, G. Rubboli, S. Meletti, and C. A. Tassinari Ethosuximide Is Effective in the Treatment of Epileptic Negative Myoclonus in Childhood Partial Epilepsy J Child Neurol, June 1, 1999; 14(6): 395 - 400. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. L. Coulter Carnitine Deficiency in Epilepsy: Risk Factors and Treatment J Child Neurol, November 1, 1995; 10(2_suppl): 2S32 - 2S39. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. L. Coulter Review Article: Carnitine, Valproate, and Toxicity J Child Neurol, January 1, 1991; 6(1): 7 - 14. [Abstract] [PDF]