PARENTERAL SUPPLEMENTATION WITH SODIUM VALPROATE SOLUTION IN CHILDRENAND ADOLESCENTS WITH EPILEPTIC SEIZURES

Valproate is a first-line anticonvulsant for the treatment of seizure disorders in children and adolescents. In addition to its long-establi shed efficacy in generalised seizure disorders, it has also been incre asingly used in the treatment of partial seizures. Until recently only oral valproate preparations were available in Germany and patients te mporarily unable to recieve oral medication had to be switched to othe r anticonvulsants. However, in 1997 a valproate injection solution was licensed and thus the opportunity arised to maintain the established and effective treatment with valproate when oral-to-parenteral substit ution becomes necessary. This report summarises our experience in 58 e psiodes of 41 children and adolescents with epilepsy where intravenous valproate was used to substitute temporarily a previously established long-term therapy with oral valproate.