Sodium valproate is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.
It’s occasionally used to prevent migraine headaches.
This medicine is only available on prescription. If you’re under 55 years old, it will need to be prescribed by a specialist doctor. The doctor will also need a second opinion from another specialist to show that there is no other suitable treatment for you.
It comes as capsules, tablets and a liquid that you swallow. It also comes as granules that you mix with food or drink.
Sodium valproate can also be given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital.
If taken during pregnancy, sodium valproate can cause problems for a baby’s development, including birth defects and lifelong learning difficulties. Sodium valproate is not recommended if there’s a chance that you could become pregnant.
For women and girls of childbearing age, if you do need to take sodium valproate then your doctor will enrol you on the valproate pregnancy prevention programme, called Prevent.
For men taking sodium valproate, your fertility could be affected. It may also cause learning or behavioural problems in your child if your partner becomes pregnant while you’re taking sodium valproate.