Sodium valproate induced necrotising pancreatitis: A case report

• Main Authors: Mohd Fairuz Ali, Loh Keng Yin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia 2013-12-01
• Series: Malaysian Family Physician
• Subjects: pancreatitis; valproic acid; drug induced; anticonvulsants; intellectual disability/ mental retardation; complications
• Online Access: http://e-mfp.org/pdf/2013v8n3/pancreatitis.pdf

Sodium valproate is one of the most common first-line antiepileptics prescribed for primary and secondary generalised seizures. However, serious complications associated with sodium valproate, such as acute pancreatitis, need to be considered when choosing this medication for treating epilepsy in certain populations such as children and persons with intellectual disability. We report a case of a 21-year-old man with intellectual disability who presented to the emergency department with an acute abdomen, vomiting and diarrhoea. He had to undergo an emergency exploratory laparotomy during which acute necrotising pancreatitis was diagnosed intra-operatively. We believe that the recent increase in sodium valproate dosage for his epilepsy was the cause of the pancreatitis. Carers of such persons should be adequately informed regarding possible life-threatening complications of medications prescribed to avoid delay in diagnosis and unwanted incidents.