A 27-year-old woman attends the GP at 8 weeks of gestation for booking. She has epilepsy managed with sodium valproate 500 mg twice daily. She has bee...

Question

A 27-year-old woman attends the GP at 8 weeks of gestation for booking. She has epilepsy managed with sodium valproate 500 mg twice daily. She has been seizure-free for 3 years. Which is the single most appropriate action regarding her epilepsy medication?

Accepted Answer

Urgently refer to neurology to discuss switching to a safer antiepileptic

Answer

Continue sodium valproate as she is already pregnant and the risk period has passed

Answer

Stop sodium valproate immediately and commence lamotrigine

Answer

Halve the dose of sodium valproate to minimise risk

Answer

Continue sodium valproate and add folic acid 5 mg daily

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): Epilepsy in Pregnancy

A 27-year-old woman attends the GP at 8 weeks of gestation for booking. She has epilepsy managed with sodium valproate 500 mg twice daily. She has been seizure-free for 3 years. Which is the single most appropriate action regarding her epilepsy medication?