Valproic acid-induced eosinophilic pleural effusion: A case report and review of the literature

Zvi Kamenetsky, Nael Da'As, Yaacov Esayag, Yosef Kleinman, Noah Samuels*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present a case of eosinophilic pleural effusion due to valproic acid (VPA), a rare adverse event that has been reported previously. A 30-year-old male patient presented with respiratory symptoms and right-sided pleuritic pain, within days of initiation of VPA treatment for a generalized seizure. Chest radiography revealed a moderate-sized right-sided pleural effusion, which was an exudate with a pH of 7.54 and 48% eosinophils. Symptoms resolved soon after discontinuation of the drug, as did the effusion in a repeat radiograph 3 weeks later. The likelihood that VPA was the cause of the effusion is examined.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-40
Number of pages2
JournalNeurologist
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Valproic acid
  • adverse drug reaction
  • eosinophilic pleural effusion
  • toxicity

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