Longitudinal Australian trends in the initiation of valproate medication among women of reproductive age and concurrent use of prescription contraceptives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Awareness of the risks of prescribing valproate to girls and women of childbearing potential has increased, with some countries strongly restricting prescribing and requiring pregnancy prevention plans.

Objectives

To explore changes in valproate dispensing patterns and the proportion of women covered by prescription contraceptives, especially long-acting forms, in Australia.

Design

Population-based cohort study using routinely collected government data on dispensed medications.

Methods

We analysed a 10% random sample of Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) dispensing data for women aged 15-49 years. We calculated the annual rate of initiating valproate and alternative anti-seizure medications. We assessed what proportion of women were cove

SUBMITTER: Begum M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12921163 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature