valproate should not be taken by anyone of childbearing potential unless all alternatives have been exhausted.
Important
Are you able to be pregnant (even if you have no intent or a current partner) or are you able to father a child?
Are taking or considering taking valproate?
If you answered yes to both, this information is important for you.
(Don't assume it isn't relevant because you aren't trying to have a child, one in four women have an unintended pregnancy.)
If taken in the weeks before becoming pregnant or during pregnancy:
11% of children will have severe physical malformation
30-40% of children will have neurodevelopmental delay or disability or an intellectual disability. All children will have a lower IQ
There is also an increased risk (smaller than for women) of neurodevelopmental disorders in children if valproate is taken by a father at conception.
Rates of disability: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valproate-use-by-women-and-girls Linked 30/11/2024
Lower IQ: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21092354/;https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39217754/ Linked 30/11/2024
Effects from fathers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21092354/;https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39217754/ Linked 9/12/2024
If you are taking valproate, do not stop without speaking to your doctor.
Read information on the medicine - you can use the resources on this website and it is recommended you find more until you are happy you have the information you need.
Speak to your doctor, listen to their recommendation. Ask for the reasons for their recommendation. You make the decision on what is best for you.
Unless you are under a CTO, in which instance it should not be prescribed due to lack of informed consent and lack of management of contraception, the doctor must prescribe an alternative if you decline to take valproate. If a doctor forces their opinion, it is recommended you seek a second opinion or investigate other options for assistance open to you.
This is not medical advice, only you and your doctor are able to determine the best course of treatment.
The images below are links to official information booklets; if links do not work, email medinfo.australia@sanofi.com and request a copy of the booklets be emailed to you or ask your doctor for a copy.
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Every effort has been made to provide independent information from high quality sources to raise awareness of the dangers of valproate and promote informed consent. No responsibility is taken for any instance where a person relies upon any information or link from this website. Individuals are responsible for their own due diligence. The information on this site is not comprehensive.