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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

MHRA to look into cases of unsafe epilepsy drug being given to pregnant women

Doctor's Hand Moving Ultrasound On Pregnant Woman's Belly
Some unborn babies continue to be exposed: the latest figures reveal 247 women had exposed pregnancies between April 2018 and September 2021. Photograph: Panther Media GmbH/Alamy

Regulators will investigate cases where an epilepsy drug that can cause birth defects has been prescribed without proper warnings, in light of reports that pregnant women in the UK are continuing to be given it.

Sodium valproate is a drug used to treat epilepsy, and is also used in some people with bipolar disorder or migraines. However, it has been associated with a raised risk of birth defects and developmental problems if taken by pregnant women.

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