The South East Regional Clinical Quality Improvement team has worked with clinicians and people with lived experience to support better, more informed conversations about valproate.
We have developed a short film and a plain English information leaflet, translated into 30 languages, to support safe, person‑centred decision‑making. We encourage these resources to be shared widely.
Valproate can be an effective medicine for some people with epilepsy (seizures or fits) or bipolar disorder, particularly when other treatments have not worked. For many, it plays an important role in helping them stay well.
For women and people who may become pregnant, taking valproate needs careful consideration. Taking it during pregnancy is linked to a higher chance of harm to an unborn baby, which can include physical disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, or difficulties with attention and behaviour. Not every baby exposed to valproate will be affected, but the risk is higher than with many other medicines.
Because of this, women and people who could become pregnant are invited to have a yearly medication review with a specialist. These conversations help people understand the benefits and risks of treatment and discuss future plans, including pregnancy. Valproate should not be stopped suddenly or without specialist advice, as changing treatment too quickly or to a less effective option can cause serious harm.
Information leaflet about medicine reviews for people taking valproate
The leaflet is translated into 30 languages, as PDFs for download:
Further resources from SUDEP Action
SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) Action provides evidence-based resources to support person-centred care and contact for training to support. The following resources may be useful:
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SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist – SUDEP Action – for over 16s available for Primary Care on EMISS and SystmOne or otherwise register/contact
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Children’s SUDEP & Seizure Safety Checklist – SUDEP Action – register for under 16s
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EpSMon app – SUDEP Action – for people with epilepsy over 18 (Android and iOS)
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Learning disability resources – SUDEP Action – supporting annual review and new statutory reasonable adjustment requirement
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Epilepsy Deaths Register – professionals and families reporting of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) and any other seizure-related death