This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Who can take sodium valproate
Most adults can take sodium valproate to treat epilepsy or bipolar disorder or help prevent migraine.
Most children can take sodium valproate to treat epilepsy.
Who may not be able to take sodium valproate
Girls and women who need to take sodium valproate must be enrolled on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme. Speak to your doctor about this.
Sodium valproate may affect fertility in men. There may also be a small chance of learning or behavioural problems in the baby if you are taking sodium valproate and your partner becomes pregnant. For these reasons, doctors may recommend different treatments for men who could possibly have children, or in those planning to try for a baby.
To make sure sodium valproate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to sodium valproate or any other medicine
- have liver problems
- have a rare metabolic or genetic condition such as porphyria, urea cycle disorder, mitochondrial disorder or primary carnitine deficiency
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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