Valproate medicines (Epilim▼, Depakote▼): Pregnancy Prevention Programme materials online

Use materials online now and hardcopies arriving over the coming weeks by post to ensure women and girls of childbearing potential on valproate medicines meet the requirements of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme.

Post-publication note - January 2024

New measures have been implemented to reduce the harms of valproate treatment, including new safety and educational materials. See Drug Safety Update January 2024 for more information and the valproate guidance page for safety and educational materials.

Act now to use the following to support the new Valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme:

  • Patient Card – to be given by pharmacists to all female patients who are dispensed valproate medicines to inform them of the risks
  • Patient Guide – to be provided to girls (of any age) and women of childbearing potential (or their parent/caregiver/responsible person) taking any medicine containing valproate
  • Guide for Healthcare Professionals – for all prescribers, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers involved in the care of women and girls of childbearing potential using valproate medicines
  • Risk Acknowledgement Form – for the specialist and patient (or their parent/caregiver/responsible person) to sign at initiation and at treatment reviews at least every year. The patient should receive a copy of the form; one copy should be filed in the specialist notes, and one copy sent to the patient’s GP

You will be aware that an alert was issued last month about new prescribing and dispensing requirements for all valproate medicines (see April 2018 Drug Safety Update). The Marketing Authorisation Holder for Epilim has produced new materials to support the Pregnancy Prevention Programme – branded as Prevent. These are linked to above and will be sent by post to healthcare professionals in the coming weeks. Once received, please dispose of any old materials which you have remaining.

Stickers with warning symbols to attach to the pack for supply to the patient will be included in materials to pharmacists. This is pending the availability of new package labelling with the warning symbols.

Who should be on a Pregnancy Prevention Programme?

Valproate medicines must no longer be used in women or girls of childbearing potential unless a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place. The requirement for a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is applicable to all premenopausal female patients unless the prescriber considers that there are compelling reasons to indicate that there is no risk of pregnancy.

Off-label use: restrictions and responsibilities still apply

Valproate is not licensed for treatment of conditions other than epilepsy or bipolar disorder in the UK. However, we are aware that these medicines are sometimes used off-label (for example, in migraine prophylaxis). All women and girls of childbearing potential should meet the conditions of a Pregnancy Prevention Programme, irrespective of indication. All prescribers should be aware of their responsibilities when prescribing medicines off-label (see April 2009 Drug Safety Update for more information).

Share best practice

Many organisations and groups have already taken steps to embed these recommendations into clinical practice. Resources are or soon will be available from professional bodies to assist you in ensuring these new prescribing and dispensing requirements are met.

Post-publication edits

In April 2019, links to the original Annual Risk Acknowledgement Form (dated May 2018) were edited to direct to a revised form (dated March 2019). The form was revised further to be dated November 2019. In January 2024, these links were removed, safety and educational materials including the Annual Risk Acknowledgement Form can be found at the valproate guidance page for safety and educational materials.

Article citation: Drug Safety Update volume 11 issue 10; May 2018: 1.

Published 24 May 2018