Valproate in psychiatry:
Female and male reproductive health risks, pregnancy harms, withdrawal and safer alternatives
Valproate carries serious risks for reproductive health and pregnancy.
Recent changes to regulatory requirements (MHRA, 2024) relating to medicines containing valproate have a significant impact on the overall care and management of many patients – both male and female – who suffer from bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders.
In response to these changes, the Psychopharmacology Committee of the 萝莉视频 (with additional input from the Faculty of Perinatal Psychiatry and the British Association for Psychopharmacology) have collaboratively developed this guidance to support prescribing decisions for men and women of childbearing potential.
This position statement updates and replaces the College's 2018 statement PS04/18: Withdrawal of, and alternatives to, valproate-containing medicines in girls and women of childbearing potential who have a psychiatric illness.
The key updates in this position statement:
- Outline and responds to new regulatory standards (MHRA 2024)
- Extend the scope to include male, as well as female, psychiatric patients
- Strengthen prescribing controls and documentation
Provide updated clinical guidance on withdrawal and alternatives.
Links to the mandatory risk acknowledgement forms and other new mandatory regulatory materials are also provided.