A 34-year-old man is stable on oral valproate for epilepsy. He and his female partner hope to conceive in six months, and he proposes stopping

Question

A 34-year-old man is stable on oral valproate for epilepsy. He and his female partner hope to conceive in six months, and he proposes stopping valproate tonight. What is the most appropriate advice?

Accepted Answer

Continue meanwhile, arrange epilepsy-team review and use condoms plus partner contraception until three months after stopping

Answer

Continue valproate and rely on his partner’s contraception because paternal exposure needs no specific counselling

Answer

Switch himself to lamotrigine and use additional contraception for seven days after the first dose

Answer

Stop valproate today, avoid conception for one month and ask the GP to replace it later

Answer

Reduce valproate over one week, use condoms until the final dose and then begin trying immediately

Loperamide red flags — GPhC CRA MCQ

A 34-year-old man is stable on oral valproate for epilepsy. He and his female partner hope to conceive in six months, and he proposes stopping valproate tonight. What is the most appropriate advice?