Vorsicht bei Valproat für Frauen Strengthened Warnings on the Use of Valproate in Women

" valproate warning ● " teratogenicity ● " developmental problems Abstract ! The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Commission on drugs of the German Physicians have strengthened warnings to prescribe val- proate only in adolescents and women who can become pregnant or are pregnant when other drugs are ineffective or not tolerated. The warn- ing is due to the risk of malformations, mainly neural tube defects, and serious developmental problems in 30-40% of babies who are exposed to valproate in the womb. The strengenthend warning has substantial consequences for counse- ling and the use of valproate in women which are briefly discussed.