- 期刊
Hyponatremia Due to Sodium Valproate: A Case Report
摘要
Psychiatric patients often suffer from hyponatremia due to polydipsia secondary to anticholinergic side effects of psychotropic drugs and abnormalities in hypothalamic thirst centers. Therefore, they often drink a large amount of water in a short period of time and blood sodium levels become suddenly diluted, causing "hyponatremia". Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a less common cause of hyponatremia in psychiatric patients but has been reported to be associated with several psychotropic drugs. Valproic acid (VPA), a commonly used mood stabilizer, was less frequently reported to be associated with SIADH. In this case report, we describe a schizophrenic patent suffering from hyponatremia secondary to VPA-induced SIADH. His hyponatremia was found on a regular blood test and he did not have any obvious symptoms of hyponatremia. His blood sodium level returned to normal after withdrawal of VPA treatment. This side effect did not occur during first 5 years of VPA treatment but occurred a year after withdrawal of lithium treatment. This case suggests that long-term monitoring of blood sodium level is important for patients treated with VPA and especially after any adjustment of therapeutic regimen.