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Marcelo E. Lancman, MD; Jorge J. Asconapé, MD; J. Kiffin Penry, MD

Arch Neurol. 1994;51(7):702-704.

Abstract
Objective
To describe the association of choreiform movements with the use of valproic acid.

Design
Case series.

Patients
Three patients who developed chorea during longterm treatment with valproic acid. All patients had severe brain damage; one had a preexisting unilateral vascular lesion in the caudate nucleus. At the time chorea developed, two patients were also receiving phenytoin sodium.

Results
Chorea developed between 30 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion of valproic acid, and the duration of the episodes varied between 30 minutes and 8 hours. The episodes of chorea occurred frequently for several days followed by asymptomatic periods lasting several weeks. Choreic movements involved the head, mouth, tongue, trunk, and limbs bilaterally in two cases and contralaterally in the patient with the caudate lesion. In one case, it was necessary to withdraw valproic acid treatment, while in the other two cases, replacement of valproic acid by divalproex sodium sprinkles presumably decreased peak concentrations and resulted in resolution with no recurrence of the chorea.

Conclusions
Valproic acid—associated chorea occurred in patients with severe epilepsy and brain damage. It may occur after several years of valproic acid use and may be more likely to develop if valproic acid is taken together with phenytoin. Because valproic acid—associated chorea seemed to be dose related, avoiding excessive fluctuations of serum levels by the use of divalproex sodium sprinkles may be an effective solution in these cases.

Author Affiliations
From the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.

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