Sodium Valproate and Pregnancy

Sodium valproate is a medicine that can be an effective treatment for both epilepsy and bipolar disorder. These medicines include Epilim and Depakote.

However, research has shown that taking Epilim or Depakote during pregnancy carries many risks. Despite this research, data has revealed that it is still being prescribed to pregnant women.

Risks of taking sodium valproate to your unborn child

Birth defects including:

• Spina bifida (where the bones of the spine do not develop properly)
• Facial and skull malformations (including cleft lip and palate)
• Malformations of the limbs, heart, kidney, urinary tract and sexual organs

Learning and development problems including:

• Delays in walking and talking
• Poor speech and language skills
• Memory problems
• Lower intelligence than others of the same age

What is being done to prevent this?

• Valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme

Valproate medicines must not be used in women of pregnancy of childbearing potential unless the Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place.

Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to all premenopausal female patients to minimise the risk to those of childbearing age and ensure that provisions are put in place to avoid patients using this medication during pregnancy unless they are involved within this programme.

The programme ensures that the mother is closely monitored by a professional throughout pregnancy to minimise any risks or harm to the unborn child. The health professional must ensure that you:

• Understand the risks of taking valproate medications during pregnancy
• Understand the need to use effective contraception to minimise the risk of getting pregnant whilst taking valproate
• Sign a form to show that you have understood the risks

Despite the above programme being in place to prevent these occurrences, in some instances, patients can fall through the net and suffer as a result of the lack of care and attention provided by professionals.

Further reading

Prescription or Medication Errors

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you believe that yourself or your child has suffered as a result of you being incorrectly prescribed Sodium Valproate medication during pregnancy then please do not hesitate to contact us on 0113 200 9720 and asking to speak to the clinical negligence team.