In the news item, 'Valproate ban for women of childbearing age', it is noted that valproate is an anti-epileptic drug (1). What is not alluded to is Valproate's role in the treatment of bipolar disorder (2).
Is the ban on Valproate a general one? Or does the ban not extend to Valproate for bipolar illness during pregnancy?
The Maudsley Guidelines comment: 'Although 1 in 20 women of child-bearing age who are in long-term contact with mental health services are prescribed mood-stabilising drugs, awareness of the teratogenic potential of these drugs amongst psychiatrists is low' (3).
Carbamazepine is similarly employed for both epilepsy and mental illness. Carbamazepine too is linked to spina bifida and other problems in babies.
Is there no pregnancy ban on Carbamazepine?
Lithium, the archetypal mood stabilizer, is connected also with difficulties in foetal development.
REFERENCES:
(1) Valproate ban for women of child-bearing age. BMJ2018; 361:k1823. Gareth Iacobucci. 5 May, 2918.
(2) The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines. David Taylor, Carol Paton, Shitij Kapur. Informa healthcare. 2009.
Rapid Response:
The problem extends beyond Valproate and epilepsy
In the news item, 'Valproate ban for women of childbearing age', it is noted that valproate is an anti-epileptic drug (1). What is not alluded to is Valproate's role in the treatment of bipolar disorder (2).
Is the ban on Valproate a general one? Or does the ban not extend to Valproate for bipolar illness during pregnancy?
The Maudsley Guidelines comment: 'Although 1 in 20 women of child-bearing age who are in long-term contact with mental health services are prescribed mood-stabilising drugs, awareness of the teratogenic potential of these drugs amongst psychiatrists is low' (3).
Carbamazepine is similarly employed for both epilepsy and mental illness. Carbamazepine too is linked to spina bifida and other problems in babies.
Is there no pregnancy ban on Carbamazepine?
Lithium, the archetypal mood stabilizer, is connected also with difficulties in foetal development.
REFERENCES:
(1) Valproate ban for women of child-bearing age. BMJ2018; 361:k1823. Gareth Iacobucci. 5 May, 2918.
(2) The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines. David Taylor, Carol Paton, Shitij Kapur. Informa healthcare. 2009.
(3) Ibid. Pg. 351.
(4) Ibid. Pgs. 350-351.
Competing interests: No competing interests