About Valproic Acid

Valproic acid is usually used to treat bipolar disorder.

Some brands are used to treat epilepsy. It can also be used to prevent migraine.

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 or tablets.

If taken during pregnancy, valproic acid can cause problems for a baby's development, including birth defects and lifelong learning difficulties. Valproic acid 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 valproic acid then your doctor will enrol you on the valproate pregnancy prevention programme, called Prevent.

For men taking valproic acid, 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 valproic acid.

Valproate pregnancy prevention programme

The valproate pregnancy prevention programme aims to stop you from accidentally becoming pregnant while taking valproic acid. It includes:

• an annual review - you should be reviewed every year by your doctor or nurse, who will assess whether you need to continue taking valproic acid or whether it's possible to change your medicine
• contraception advice - if you are taking valproic acid then you must be using reliable contraception, even if you're not currently sexually active

Your doctor or nurse can advise you about reliable contraception. You'll be asked to sign a form to say that you're using contraception and understand the risks of becoming pregnant while taking valproic acid.

It's important to get advice from your doctor if:

• you become pregnant
• you want to plan a pregnancy

For men who could possibly have children, it's important to discuss valproic acid with your doctor. You and your partner should use contraception while you're taking valproic acid and for at least 3 months after stopping.

For men who are planning to start a family within the next year, speak to a doctor about your treatment options. Do not stop taking valproic acid without speaking to a doctor first.

Updated: 11 March 2025

Find out more

• Valproate guide for women (PDF only, 495 KB)
• Valproate guide for men (PDF only, 222 KB)

Key facts

• You'll usually take valproic acid 2 to 4 times a day. You can take it with or without food.
• You'll usually start on a low dose. Your dose will gradually increase over a few days or weeks.
• There are other valproate medicines such as sodium valproate that are similar to valproic acid and work in the same way. However, these medicines are used to treat different conditions and doses will vary.
• Some brands of valproate medicines, such as Belvo, Syonell and Depakote, contain semisodium valproate which is a mixture of valproic acid and sodium valproate.
• There are also brands such as Epilim Chrono, Epilim Chronosphere and Dyzantil, which contain mostly sodium valproate, with some valproic acid.
• If you're pregnant, or there's a chance you could become pregnant, valproic acid is not recommended for treating migraines. For epilepsy and bipolar disorder, your doctor will only prescribe valproic acid for you if there are no other suitable treatments.

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