Risk-benefit assessment of treatment of epileptic women of childbearing age with valproic acid

Treatment outcomes in women with idiopathic generalized epilepsy

“…Some women continue using valproate despite being fully aware of its adverse effects and official recommendations. 23 , 24 A recent study found that 68.3% of WWE continued to use valproate even after being informed of the related risks. 24 The same study found that 47% of patients wished to return to valproate after switching to alternative ASM due to the adverse effects associated with new drugs or the recurrence of seizures.…”

“… 23 , 24 A recent study found that 68.3% of WWE continued to use valproate even after being informed of the related risks. 24 The same study found that 47% of patients wished to return to valproate after switching to alternative ASM due to the adverse effects associated with new drugs or the recurrence of seizures. 24 Switching from valproate to another ASM has been associated with worsening of seizure control but switching back to valproate has been seen to improve the patients’ seizure control.…”

An international study to investigate and optimise the safety of discontinuing valproate in young men and women with epilepsy: protocol

“…Whether there are any potential risks of personal harm or morbidity (including hospital admissions, injuries, or death) associated with valproate withdrawal has not yet been quantified for either men or women on valproate. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Existing studies have focused on the group of PWE in remission from seizures for ≥2 years, usually showing seizure relapse in generalised epilepsy. They have tended to be single-centre or small, looking at seizures alone or assessing women alone.…”