Onychomadesis: A Rare Adverse Effect in Early-Period Valproic Acid Therapy
September 2015
in “
Türk pediatri arşivi : İstanbul çocuk kliniği dergisi
”
TLDR Valproic acid can very rarely cause nail separation, which usually gets better on its own after stopping the drug.
The document discussed a rare adverse effect, onychomadesis, in a 23-month-old child undergoing early-period valproic acid therapy for epilepsy. Onychomadesis, characterized by the separation of the nail from the nail bed, appeared in the third week of treatment and resolved spontaneously after discontinuation of the drug. This case was notable as the youngest and earliest reported instance of onychomadesis linked to valproic acid, highlighting the need for awareness of this potential side effect, which, although rare, can cause significant concern but typically resolves without further intervention.
