Peripheral edema due to valproic acid use: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Valproate is used to treat epilepsy, migraine and bipolar disorder. As with many other drugs, case reports indicate that peripheral edema may develop with valproate use, and various mechanisms have been proposed. Herein, we report the development of peripheral edema (bilateral lower extremity, facial and periorbital) in a 36-year-old female patient with bipolar affective disorder four days after the initiation of valproate treatment, the edema disappeared in a short time after discontinuation of the drug. We review and discuss 24 cases associated with valproate use previously reported in the literature.