Rapid infusion of sodium valproate in acutely ill children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical safety of sodium valproate and total and unbound valproic acid plasma concentrations after rapid infusion in hospitalized, acutely ill children. Four children (5-15 years) completed the study. Sodium valproate doses (8.3-15.4 mg/kg) were administered in <or=15 minutes. No clinically significant changes in vital signs were observed nor were there any significant adverse events. Both total and unbound valproic acid concentrations were higher at 0.5 hour than at pre-infusion or 6 hours after infusion. Rapid administration of valproate to acutely ill patients can be done safely. Unbound valproic acid concentrations in acutely ill as compared with relatively healthy epilepsy patients were higher and could not be predicted based on their total pre-infusion valproic acid concentrations.