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)