Mood Emot.  2022 Nov;20(3):65-67. 10.35986/me.2022.20.3.65.

Case of Decreased Serum Valproic Acid Concentration During Concomitant Use of Meropenem in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

• Jeong CK
• Yang CM
• Lee SY
• Jang SH

• KMID: 2538403
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2022.20.3.65

Abstract

Blood valproic acid levels were decreased in patients with traumatic brain injury who had been using valproic acid to control irritability and aggression, and the symptoms worsened coincident with the administration of meropenem, a carbapenem-based antibiotic. Two weeks after the discontinuation of meropenem, valproic acid levels were restored to an effective therapeutic concentration. Therefore, when valproic acid and carbapenem-based antibiotics are used together, blood valproic acid levels may decrease due to drug interaction, and irritability symptoms may worsen. Thus, close monitoring of serum valproic acid levels is required.

Keyword

Valproic acid; Meropenem; Traumatic brain injury; Impulsive behavior