Publication, Part of Medicines and Pregnancy Registry
[MI] Medicines and Pregnancy Registry - Antiepileptic use in females aged 0 to 54 in England: April 2018 to March 2026
Findings
Valproate and pregnancy
Of the 56,220 females prescribed valproate,
2,073 females included in the valproate register have had a pregnancy since April 2018 (this includes records of births since April 2018, and therefore includes conceptions that occurred prior to April 2018). Of which, 1,882 females on the register have a record of conception since April 2018.
1,590 females did not receive valproate prescriptions during pregnancy
of which 1,195 females on the register stopped receiving prescriptions for valproate prior to pregnancy and did not restart after pregnancy, within the reporting period.
375 females on the register were prescribed valproate during their pregnancy.
Of which, 7 were identified as new additions in the most recent 6 months, October 2025 to March 2026. 32 females on the register were prescribed valproate within their pregnancy period and had not been prescribed valproate within the previous 12 months and are therefore classed as a new starter. Of these, 1 is a new starter in the most recent 6 months, October 2025 to March 2026.
Topiramate and pregnancy
Of the 166,134 females prescribed topiramate,
26,122 females included in the topiramate register have had a pregnancy since April 2018 (this includes records of births since April 2018, and therefore includes conceptions that occurred prior to April 2018). Of which, 23,624 females on the register have a record of conception since April 2018.
21,725 females did not receive topiramate prescriptions during pregnancy.
Of which, 11,955 females on the register stopped receiving prescriptions for topiramate prior to pregnancy and did not restart after pregnancy, within the reporting period
2,817 females on the register were prescribed topiramate during their pregnancy.
Of which, 73 were identified as new additions in the most recent 6 months, October 2025 to March 2026. 481 females on the register were prescribed topiramate within their pregnancy period and had not been prescribed topiramate within the previous 12 months and are therefore classed as a new starter. Of these, 16 are new starters in the most recent 6 months, October 2025 to March 2026.
Last edited: 21 September 2026 5:23 pm