Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking valproic acid - Brand names: Belvo, Depakote, Convulex, Syonell

Valproic acid and pregnancy

Valproic acid is not recommended in pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects and problems with your child's learning and behaviour.

If there's a chance you could become pregnant while taking this medicine, your doctor will enrol you on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme.

If you think you might be pregnant while taking valproic acid, contact your doctor or nurse urgently.

If you're taking valproic acid for epilepsy or bipolar disorder and you become pregnant, do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first. This is because your symptoms may get worse.

For pregnant women with epilepsy or bipolar disorder your doctor may continue to prescribe valproic acid, but only if there's no other suitable treatments.

For pregnant women with recurrent migraine your doctor should offer you an alternative treatment to valproic acid.

For men who could possibly have children, it's important to discuss valproic acid with your doctor. You and your partner should use contraception while you're taking valproic acid and for at least 3 months after stopping.

For men who are planning to start a family within the next year, speak to a doctor about your treatment options. Do not stop taking valproic acid without speaking to a doctor first.

Valproic acid and breastfeeding

If your baby is healthy, you may be able to take valproic acid while breastfeeding. Other treatments might be more suitable, but your doctor may still recommend valproic acid if it’s the only medicine that works for you.

Valproic acid passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and does not usually cause any side effects in breastfed babies.

If there's a chance you could become pregnant while taking this medicine, your doctor will put you on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme.

It’s important to keep taking your medicine to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.

It's also important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby is:

• not feeding as well as usual, or not putting on weight and developing as you would expect
• unusually sleepy
• behaving differently, for example being irritable
• bruising more easily than usual
• being sick (vomiting), or they have diarrhoea
• showing signs of jaundice, including yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin), dark pee and pale poo

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

It's important not to share a bed with your baby while you're taking valproic acid.

Valproic acid and fertility

Valproic acid can reduce fertility in both men and women.

In men, valproic acid has been reported to cause infertility. This may get better if you stop taking it. Do not stop or change your medicine without speaking to your doctor, as it may make your condition worse.

In women, valproic acid can change your menstrual cycle, causing delayed or missed periods. Valproic acid has also been reported to cause polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), though this happens rarely.

Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about how valproic acid may affect your fertility and pregnancy plans.