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What is known and objective The interaction between valproic acid (VPA) and carbapenem antibiotics is well described with previous reports suggesting a reduction in VPA half-life between 47% and 90%. As described in this case, this interaction might be beneficial in the setting of toxic VPA ingestion. Case description An intubated, unresponsive patient arrived via emergency medical services after toxic VPA ingestion. Meropenem was prescribed for a suspected pneumonia and to take advantage of the VPA interaction. We observed a 56% decline in half-life with short-term meropenem dosing and an improvement in mental status shortly after administration. What is new and conclusion Our findings suggest a potential role for short-term carbapenem therapy for VPA overdose.

The authors present a case report of a 17-month-old female child who ingested a large amount of methamphetamine that looked very similar clinically to a scorpion envenomation specific to the southwestern United States by the speciesCentruroides sculpturatus. The child was initially treated with 3 vials of antivenom specific for that scorpion species and showed a transient, though clinically relevant neurologic improvement. Her clinical course of sympathomimetic toxicity resumed and she was treated with intravenous fluids and benzodiazepines after blood analysis showed significant levels of d-methamphetamine. This case report is to specifically underline the clinical confusion in discerning between these two conditions and the realization of limited and/or expensive resources that may be used in the process.