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Is valproic acid safe during pregnancy?

Answered by MotherToBaby’s teratology specialists, quoted in full — including the questions most pages skip, like whether a father’s exposure matters.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the MotherToBaby fact sheet for valproic acid (OTIS, published via the NIH) sourcesUpdated Jul 21, 2026How we research

The questions people actually ask about valproic acid in pregnancy

Answered by MotherToBaby, the fact sheets written by the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists and published through the NIH. Quoted in full — we do not condense them.

I am taking valproic acid, but I would like to stop taking it before getting pregnant. How long does the drug stay in my body?

People eliminate medications at different rates. In healthy adults, it takes 2-4 days, on average, for most of the valproic acid to be gone from the body.

What might happen if I stopped taking my valproic acid and then had a seizure during my pregnancy?

Having a seizure while pregnant might be harmful to the fetus. Complications depend on many things, such as the type of seizure, how long the seizure lasts, and the number of seizures that happen. Epileptic seizures might cause periods of time when the fetus is not getting enough oxygen, which could lead to problems with development. These seizures could also be life-threatening for both the person who is pregnant and the fetus. A seizure could cause a person who is pregnant to fall or have an accident that could injure themselves or the fetus.

What might happen if I stopped taking my valproic acid and then had a relapse of bipolar disorder during my pregnancy?

People who are pregnant and have bipolar disorder who stop taking their medication during pregnancy might have a higher chance for symptoms of depression or mania that could be harmful to both the person who is pregnant and the fetus. Episodes of depression or mania are very stressful for a person who is pregnant. During manic or depressive episodes, the person who is pregnant might have more trouble taking care of themselves and keeping themselves safe.

I take valproic acid. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Some studies suggest that people on valproic acid might have a higher chance of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition associated with trouble getting pregnant. Studies have found that people with seizure disorders and people with bipolar disorder might have problems with their periods and trouble getting pregnant. This possible increase might be due to the conditions that the people have, rather than the use of medication.

Does taking valproic acid increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. It is not known if valproic acid increases the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking valproic in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Valproic acid might increase the chance of low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth). There have been reports of temporary low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in newborns.

Does taking valproic in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Prenatal exposure to valproic acid can increase the chance of problems with learning and development. Different studies have shown an increased chance of intellectual disability, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, other developmental disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attachment disorder, decreased language and memory skills, and decreased social and adaptive behavior skills. Not all studies have shown the same results. Some of the long-term problems in the exposed children might be due to how severe the seizure disorder is in the person who is pregnant.

What screenings or tests are available to see if my pregnancy has birth defects or other issues?

There are ways to screen for neural tube defects in pregnancy. A blood test can be done to measure the amount of a protein called alpha fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood of the person who is pregnant. Babies with spina bifida have higher levels of AFP. If the AFP is higher than usual in the blood test, more testing or screenings might be offered to you to get more information.

An ultrasound that looks at the fetal spine can be used to screen for spina bifida. Ultrasounds can also screen for some other birth defects, such as a heart defect or cleft lip. Talk with your healthcare provider about any prenatal screenings or testing that are available to you. There are no tests available during pregnancy that can tell how much effect there could be on future behavior or learning.

If a male takes valproic acid, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

It is not known if valproic acid could affect male fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that sperm donors or fathers have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

Quoted from MotherToBaby Fact Sheets — Valproic Acid, published August 1, 2025. MotherToBaby states its fact sheets should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers.

Breastfeeding is a separate question — what LactMed says about valproic acid

This is general reference information, not medical advice. Whether to take any medication in pregnancy is a decision for you and your prescriber; do not start or stop a drug on your own, because an untreated condition can also carry risk.