Valproate and topiramate - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Obligatory

Must not donate.

Discretionary

If it is more than seven 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 drugs 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 one 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)