Media Release: Volunteers sought to give views on sodium valproate, a medication for epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraines
Volunteers are wanted to give their thoughts on sodium valproate, a medication that can be used to treat conditions such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder and migraines.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is looking for people who are taking sodium valproate, sometimes shortened to valproate, or have stopped taking Valproate since August 2023, to share their experiences.
The Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee Collaborative (ADTCC) have asked HIS to carry out a Gathering Views exercise, by asking patients about their lived experience of taking Valproate.
Examples of medicines that include Valproate are Belvo, Convulex, Depakote, Dyzantil, Epilim, Epilim Chrono or Chronosphere, Episenta, Epival, and Syonell. Those unsure if a medication contains Valproate can search for it on the electronic medicines compendium.
While it can be a highly effective treatment, Valproate poses a significant risk to babies born to women taking it during pregnancy, and there is evidence that there may also be risk associated with men taking Valproate when getting someone pregnant.
Clare Morrison, Director of Engagement and Change at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“It’s very important that we hear from people about from their lived experience of taking any brand of Valproate. This will help inform NHS boards’ future plans for the safe use of the medication.”
Director of Engagement and Change, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
We are looking to talk to people, or their carers, if they are:
- Currently taking Valproate or have stopped taking Valproate since August 2023
- Resident or were resident within Scotland since 2023
- A woman or man able to become pregnant or get someone pregnant if not on contraception
- Between 12- and 55-years-old
People will be asked to join an individual interview that should last between 30 minutes to an hour. Interviews can be done online, via telephone or in person.
Our team will ask questions about people’s experience of taking Valproate, such as when they started taking Valproate, how it worked and what information they got at the time; their thoughts about this information and how it could be improved; how their experience of taking Valproate could be improved; and their thoughts about taking Valproate in future.
For further information on Valproate, refer to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Patient Guide.
For more information or to apply to take part in this work, email his.engagementevidence@nhs.scot
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Notes to editor
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s statutory role is to help improve the quality of health and care, provide information to the public about the quality of health and care services, monitor public involvement, and to evaluate and provide advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of medicines and health technologies.
The ADTCC are part of Scottish Government. They give professional and clinical advice and leadership to NHS boards and consider national and local guidance, which supports the safe, effective, and patient-centred use of medicines.
In March 2018, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) prohibited Valproate’s use in pregnant women, girls, and persons of childbearing potential unless a risk acknowledgement form is in place and they are enrolled in a pregnancy prevention programme.