Following recent advice from Medicines and Healthcare oriducts Regulatory Agency about potential risks of taking Valoprate we have conducted an audit and identified that this information may be relevant to you.

What are Valproates?

Valproate medicines  Sodium valproate, valproic acid or valproate semisodium are valproate medicines. Valproate medicines are used in treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Brands of valproate medicines are Belvo, Convulex, Depakote, Dyzantil, Epilim, Epilim Chrono or Chronosphere, Episenta, Epival, and Syonell.  

New information about fathering children on valproate  

If you father a child while you are taking valproate, there is a potential small increased risk of the child being diagnosed with problems with their mental or movement development (neurodevelopmental disorders).  

A study of health records reported that around 5 in 100 children whose fathers were taking valproate at conception had a developmental disorder. This was compared to around 3 in 100 children whose fathers were taking lamotrigine or levetiracetam: two other anti-seizure epilepsy medicines. The study did not look at risks for children whose fathers did not take any medication.  Whilst this study doesn’t prove that valproate use in men increased the risk of problems in children, it is an important safety concern that warrants action on a precautionary basis. 

What to do if you are taking valproate 

It is recommended that you and your female sexual partner should both use effective birth control (condoms and another form of female contraception). The reason you should use two forms of birth control is because condoms are not always effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy. You should use birth control while you are taking valproate and for at least 3 months after stopping valproate. Allowing 3 months to pass after stopping valproate allows new sperm cells to be formed which have not been exposed to valproate. It is important to note that there are no data on risk after stopping valproate treatment and this needs further investigation. At your next appointment have a discussion with your specialist on the increased risks (which also include the potential for impaired fertility) and the treatments available at your regular appointment. If you are planning a child in the next year, your GP can refer you to a specialist for advice on other treatment options.  You should not donate sperm whilst taking valproate and for 3 months after stopping.  If your partner is pregnant or undergoing assisted conception, talk to a healthcare professional (antenatal team, fertility specialist or a GP) who can support your decisions regarding your treatment. 

Fertility   

Valproate can affect fertility in male patients. This can make it more difficult to father a child. Changes to male fertility are usually reversible after valproate is stopped and may be reversible after reducing the valproate dose. However, we do not know if this is true for all patients. More information is available in the valproate patient guide, which will be updated with advice about the information about fathering children on valproate in the coming months.  

Do not stop valproate or change your dose unless told to do so by a specialist.