Valproate (Depakote®) and elevated serum ammonia level (hyperammonemia)

By Rajnish Mago, MD (bio) Valproate (divalproex; brand name Depakote) can be associated with an increase in serum ammonia (hyperammonemia). This can occur with carbamazepine as well. [Optional to read: The mechanism of valproate-induced hyperammonemia is not clear. One of the mechanisms is that one of its metabolites interferes with the normal conversion of ammonia…