Sodium valproate (with childbearing potential) - Mental Health disorders
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Status 1
- Not Specified
This entry has not yet been reviewed for inclusion on the joint formulary. However, this information has been published due to the ongoing requirement for prescribers to access the shared care agreement and other resources that were in place prior to the launch of the joint formulary.
Please refer to the list of agreed formulations and former traffic light status available on the PAD page (accessed by clicking the drug name).
Documentation
PAD Profile
Other Indications
Below are listed other indications that Sodium valproate (with childbearing potential) is used to treat.
Other Drugs
Below are listed other drugs that are used to treat Mental Health disorders.
- No records returned.
Committee Recommendations (5)
An easy read leaflet has been produced in 30 different languages and is aimed at women and people who could become pregnant who are taking valproate. It is downloadable and printable. Valproate - Welcome
Three infographics have been produced to clarify in which situations review by two specialists may be required for patients who are prescribed valproate:
• for female patients under 55 years old
• for male patients under 55 years old
• for male and female patients 55 years and older
The Medicine Safety Committee has updated the "Safer Prescribing aide-memoire" for primary care which provides guidance on safe prescribing of sodium valproate (for women of child bearing age) in line with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recomendations.
It includes a summary of how to manage these patients within primary care, links to clinical resources and searches/ templates available on clinical systems (EMIS Web and SystmOne)
The Medicines Safety Committee recommend the MHRA 'Guidance on contraceptive methods and frequency of pregnancy testing to reduce inadvertent exposures during pregnancy in a woman taking a medicine of teratogenic potential' which can be found in the link below.
The Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System Area Prescribing Committee have agreed an updated AMBER shared care document for valproate for people of childbearing potential aged under 55 with:
Licensed uses:
- Epilepsy
- Treatment of mania in bipolar disorder
- Continuation of treatment after a manic episode
Off label uses (refer to primary care responsibilities in shared care document for advice)
- Mood stabiliser in mood disorders and primary psychotic disorders, under the direction of a consultant psychiatrist
- Prevention of atypical antipsychotic-induced seizures
- Management of compulsive and aggressive behaviour