Eosinophilic Pleuropericardial Effusion Due to Valproic Acid
December 2021
in “
Black sea journal of health science
”
TLDR Valproic acid can cause a rare allergic reaction leading to fluid around the lungs and heart, which is treatable by changing medication.
A 31-year-old male patient who had been taking valproic acid since childhood for epilepsy developed eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion, a rare side effect of the drug. The patient presented with respiratory distress, and after other causes were ruled out, the condition was attributed to valproic acid. Following a change in medication, the patient was completely cured after six months. The study suggests that this adverse effect is likely due to a drug hypersensitivity reaction and indicates that drug dosage is an important factor.
