Letter to the Editor January 1, 2002

Hemodialysis in the Treatment of Valproic Acid Overdose

Phillip Kroll; Cheta Nand

J Clin Psychiatry 2002;63(1):78-79

Article Abstract

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Valproic acid (VPA) is currently utilized as a mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. As a result, it is often the medication employed in suicidal attempts in bipolar depression. VPA overdose can cause serious toxicity and, in some cases, death. The clinical symptoms include progressive coma, respiratory depression, hemodynamic instability, and pancytopenia.