Overview
- The NHS advises anyone taking sodium valproate who thinks they might be pregnant to contact their GP or nurse urgently.
- Sodium valproate is not recommended in pregnancy because it can cause birth defects and problems with a child’s learning and behaviour.
- Under current rules, people under 55 can only be prescribed valproate by a specialist, with a second specialist opinion required to confirm no suitable alternative.
- Patients who could become pregnant should be enrolled in the Prevent pregnancy prevention programme and should not stop treatment without medical advice.
- Men taking valproate should discuss plans to father children, use contraception during treatment and for three months after stopping, and be aware of potential fertility effects, including rare reports of PCOS in women.