Valproate 

Following the recent Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) press release, we are advising our male patients on valproate to:

• Use effective contraception while taking valproate and for at least three months after stopping treatment  
• Do not donate sperm during treatment with valproate and for three months after stopping valproate 
• Book an appointment to discuss your treatment options if you plan to father a child in the next 12 months 
• Do not stop taking valproate without advice from a specialist  

Why new precautionary measures were introduced?

A recent study showed that around 5 out of 100 children had a neurodevelopmental disorder when born to fathers treated with valproate compared with around 3 out of 100 when born to fathers who were on lamotrigine or levetiracetam.

While this study does not prove that valproate use in men increases the risk of problems in children, it is an important safety issue that warrants action on a precautionary basis.

For more information please visit:

GOV UK - MHRA advises men taking valproate and their partners to use effective contraception

Epilepsy Society - Men taking valproate and their partners advised to use effective contraception

Published: Sep 16, 2024