Men taking valproate and their partners are being advised to use effective contraception according to new guidance from the MHRA. It recommends that male patients and their partners use effective contraception during valproate treatment and for at least three months after stopping the medication.
It follows a study which reports a possible association between valproate use by men and a small increased risk of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders in their children when compared to men prescribed other medicines for the same conditions (lamotrigine or levetiracetam).
Though the risk is much lower than the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children born to mothers who take valproate during pregnancy, and the MHRA has long advised against the use of valproate by women able to have children unless there is a Pregnancy Prevention Programme (PPP) in place, this new advice acknowledges that valproate use in fathers is also associated with risk to children as well.
The full guidance can be found here