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# Valproate and topiramate - Whole blood and components

## Essential information

Obligatory

  Must not donate.

Discretionary

  If it is more than 7 days since the last dose of valproate or topiramate, and the reason for therapy does not preclude donation, accept.

## Supporting information

Additional information

  Sodium valproate (Epilim®, Episenta®) and the related drug valproic acid (Depakote®, Convulex®) are anticonvulsant medications used in the treatment of epilepsy. They are also used for treatment of bipolar disorder and as prophylaxis for migraine.

  Topiramate (Topamax®) is an anticonvulsant medication used in the treatment of epilepsy and as prophylaxis for migraine.

  Exposure during pregnancy to either valproate or topiramate is a known cause of birth defects. As it is not possible to know whether an individual donation will be transfused to a pregnant woman, donors taking any form of sodium valproate, valproic acid or topiramate must be deferred until at least 1 week after stopping treatment.

Reason for change:
  A deferral has been added for donors taking topiramate. The name of the entry has been updated to reflect this.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 74 (26 November 2024)

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