Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 22, Number 6, October 1998, pp.537-540.
Disposition of Valproic Acid in a Case of Fatal Intoxication
Alphonse Poklis, Justin L. Poklis, Donna Trautmann,
Chad Treece, Ronald Backer, and Charles M. Harvey
The case history and toxicological findings of a fatal suicidal valproic acid overdose are presented. Valproic acid concentrations were determined in body tissues and fluids by gasÐliquid chromatography (GLC) following both direct extraction and the method of standards addition and quantitative fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The quantitative results obtained by the three procedures were in good agreement. Qualitative identification of valproic acid as its methylated derivative was by ion-trap gas chromatographyÐmass spectrometry. Toxicological analysis by direct extraction GLC yielded the following valproate concentrations (mg/mL or mg/kg): blood, 1050; bile, 713; brain, 510; heart, 670; kidney, 1580; liver, 985; and vitreous, 516. A total of 15.1 g of valproate was recovered in the stomach contents. These findings far exceed those associated with valproate therapy and are similar to the limited valproate disposition data reported in prior fatal overdoses.
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