Valproate is a medication that is offered by medical professionals to treat: bipolar disorder epilepsy , and sometimes to prevent migraines. Brand names for valproate include: Belvo, Convulex, Depakote, Dyzantil, Epilim, Epilim Chrono or Chronosphere, Episenta, Epival, and Syonell. It should only be prescribed if: you are under 55 years, regardless of your sex, and you are not pregnant or planning on becoming so – see below for more information.

Can I take valproate if I am pregnant?

No, you should not normally take valproate if you are pregnant. But do not stop taking valproate or change your dose without specialist medical advice. If you think you are pregnant, seek urgent medical advice. If you take valproate during pregnancy there is a risk of your child having birth defects and problems with their development. There are also other risks. See What are the risks of taking valproate during pregnancy? below, for more information. If you are worried about a pregnancy or about your child’s health, you can ask for specialist advice and support.

Should I stop taking valproate if I become pregnant or think I am pregnant?

Do not suddenly stop taking valproate or change your dose if: you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant. First get urgent advice from your specialist medical professional.

What are the risks of taking valproate during pregnancy?

What are the risks of birth defects? Around 1 in 9 babies will have a birth defect if their mother takes valproate during pregnancy. These birth defects include: Spina bifida . This is where the bones of the spine do not develop properly. Problems with how a baby's face and head grow . This includes cleft lip and palate, where the upper lip or facial bones are split. Differences in how a baby develops . Including issues with the limbs, heart, kidney, urinary tract, and sexual organs. Eyes that grow differently . This can cause sight problems. Hearing problems or deafness . What are the risks of problems with early childhood development? About 3 or 4 children in 10 may have problems with early childhood development if their mother takes valproate during pregnancy. These difficulties can be lifelong, and some children may need substantial ongoing support. These problems with early childhood development can include: Difficulties learning to walk and talk. Having more difficulty learning, understanding, or solving problems than other children of the same age. Poor speech and language skills. Memory problems. Are there other risks? Children of mothers who take valproate during pregnancy: are more likely to have autism. may have a lower weight than expected for their age at birth. may be more likely to develop symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

What if I am planning on becoming pregnant?

If you are taking valproate, contact your specialist medical professional if you are planning on becoming pregnant. Your specialist can advise you on your options.

What if I am not planning on becoming pregnant?

You might be able to have children but: you are not pregnant, or planning on becoming pregnant. Valproate should only be prescribed to you if the conditions of the Pregnancy prevention programme are followed. This programme helps make sure you understand the dangers of becoming pregnant while taking valproate. It also includes pregnancy-prevention measures, pregnancy testing as appropriate, and regular specialist review. You should be told about the risks and why it is important not to get pregnant while taking the medication. Each year, you and your healthcare professional sign a form to show you understand the risks.

What about if I am male?

If you are male, you should be told about the benefits and risks of taking valproate. You must talk to a medical professional, so you understand the risks. The medication may make it harder for you to have children. If you do have children, there may also be a small chance that your child could have learning or development problems. But the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency say doctors are not sure if the medication is the cause. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulates medicines, and medical devices in the UK. Do not stop taking valproate without talking to your specialist medical professional first. If you want to start a family, you can get advice from your specialist medical professional.

You can contact the following organisations if either you or your child has been affected by valproate: Independent Fetal Anticonvulsant Trust (INFACT). Valproate Victims. Other useful organisations: Bipolar UK. Epilepsy Action . Epilepsy Society . SUDEP Action.

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Valproate and pregnancy - Reproductive risks and safety advice

Valproate and pregnancy

Reproductive risks and safety advice

This information explains what the medication valproate is, what it is used for, and the risks linked to taking it during pregnancy. It covers possible effects on children and advice for people who may become pregnant. It also includes information for men taking valproate, and where to get support and further advice. If you are 18 or over and live in England, this is for you. It takes about 8 minutes to read.

See our page on Accessible advice for information on alternative ways to access this content.

The key points

Valproate is a medicine used to treat bipolar disorder and epilepsy and sometimes prevent migraines.
Valproate should not normally be taken during pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby.
Do not stop taking valproate or change your dose without specialist advice. If you think you are pregnant, seek urgent medical advice.
People under 55 should only be prescribed valproate under specific safety rules.
Babies exposed to valproate during pregnancy may have a birth defect. They may have long-term learning or development difficulties and there are other risks.
People who could become pregnant must follow the Pregnancy prevention programme and review the risks every year.
Men taking valproate should discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare professional before starting a family.

Frequently asked Q's

Valproate is a medication that is offered by medical professionals to treat:
- bipolar disorder
- epilepsy, and
- sometimes to prevent migraines.
Brand names for valproate include: Belvo, Convulex, Depakote, Dyzantil, Epilim, Epilim Chrono or Chronosphere, Episenta, Epival, and Syonell.

It should only be prescribed if:
- you are under 55 years, regardless of your sex, and
- you are not pregnant or planning on becoming so – see below for more information.
No, you should not normally take valproate if you are pregnant.

But do not stop taking valproate or change your dose without specialist medical advice. If you think you are pregnant, seek urgent medical advice.

If you take valproate during pregnancy there is a risk of your child having birth defects and problems with their development. There are also other risks. See What are the risks of taking valproate during pregnancy? below, for more information.

If you are worried about a pregnancy or about your child’s health, you can ask for specialist advice and support.
Do not suddenly stop taking valproate or change your dose if:
- you are pregnant, or
- think you might be pregnant.
First get urgent advice from your specialist medical professional.
What are the risks of birth defects?

Around 1 in 9 babies will have a birth defect if their mother takes valproate during pregnancy.

These birth defects include:
- Spina bifida. This is where the bones of the spine do not develop properly.
- Problems with how a baby's face and head grow. This includes cleft lip and palate, where the upper lip or facial bones are split.
- Differences in how a baby develops. Including issues with the limbs, heart, kidney, urinary tract, and sexual organs.
- Eyes that grow differently. This can cause sight problems.
- Hearing problems or deafness.
What are the risks of problems with early childhood development?

About 3 or 4 children in 10 may have problems with early childhood development if their mother takes valproate during pregnancy. These difficulties can be lifelong, and some children may need substantial ongoing support.

These problems with early childhood development can include:
- Difficulties learning to walk and talk.
- Having more difficulty learning, understanding, or solving problems than other children of the same age.
- Poor speech and language skills.
- Memory problems.
Are there other risks?

Children of mothers who take valproate during pregnancy:
- are more likely to have autism.
- may have a lower weight than expected for their age at birth.
- may be more likely to develop symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
You might be able to have children but:
- you are not pregnant, or
- planning on becoming pregnant.
Valproate should only be prescribed to you if the conditions of the Pregnancy prevention programme are followed.

This programme helps make sure you understand the dangers of becoming pregnant while taking valproate. It also includes pregnancy-prevention measures, pregnancy testing as appropriate, and regular specialist review.

You should be told about the risks and why it is important not to get pregnant while taking the medication. Each year, you and your healthcare professional sign a form to show you understand the risks.
If you are male, you should be told about the benefits and risks of taking valproate.

You must talk to a medical professional, so you understand the risks.

The medication may make it harder for you to have children.

If you do have children, there may also be a small chance that your child could have learning or development problems. But the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency say doctors are not sure if the medication is the cause.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency regulates medicines, and medical devices in the UK.

Do not stop taking valproate without talking to your specialist medical professional first.

If you want to start a family, you can get advice from your specialist medical professional.
You can contact the following organisations if either you or your child has been affected by valproate:
- Independent Fetal Anticonvulsant Trust (INFACT).
- Valproate Victims.
Other useful organisations:

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Last updated November 2026
Next update November 2029, subject to any changes

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