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Fifty-nine percent of the women on valproate were obese,and in a retrospective analysis an indisputable weight gain(mean,21 kg;range,8-49 kg)was found in 50%of the women taking valproate.Fourteen(64%)of the women on valproate had polycystic ovaries,hyperandrogenism,or both.These women were obese,and in addition to elevated serum androgen levels,they had high concentrations of fasting serum insulin and low levels of serum insulin- like growth factor-binding protein 1.Valproate therapy for epilepsy is associated with weight gain during treatment in approximately 50%of women patients.The weight gain can be progressive,and is associated with hyperinsulinemia and low serum levels of insulin-like growth factor- binding protein 1,which may lead to hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries. |
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