Abstract
Background: Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used anti-epileptic and
mood-stabilizing drug, primarily metabolized by glucuronosyltransferases
(UGT) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Few drug interactions are known
to affect VPA levels, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, and
carbapenems. We report a new drug that interacts with VPA:
flucloxacillin. Case Presentation: A 79-year-old male with bipolar
disorder, treated with VPA, presented with low VPA serum levels during
treatment for S. aureus bacteraemia with flucloxacillin. His VPA levels
decreased rapidly, despite no apparent explanation. Serial assessments
ruled out nonadherence and absorption issues. Flucloxacillin was
identified as the probable cause, as VPA levels normalized upon its
cessation and dropped again with reintroduction. Discussion: This case
illustrates a significant drug-drug interaction between flucloxacillin
and VPA, likely mediated by induction of UGT enzymes rather than CYP
enzymes. The rapid onset and resolution of the interaction suggest UGT
induction as the primary mechanism. Probably, patients with a low
albumin are more susceptible to this interaction, like our patient, due
to increased metabolism. Conclusion: Flucloxacillin treatment
substantially decreases total VPA serum levels while free fraction
levels can be still within reference values. Clinicians should consider
monitoring free fraction and adjusting dosages accordingly in bipolar
disorder. If VPA is used for epilepsy, alternative antibiotics to
flucloxacillin should be preferred.