title: Valproate prescription prevalence among women of childbearing age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Valproate is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome as well as congenital malformations and developmental delays of infants who were prenatally exposed. The frequency of valproate use for mental health conditions among women of childbearing age was determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using New York State Medicaid claims for persons with psychiatric disorders, 40,526 individuals with active prescriptions for mood stabilizers (non-antipsychotic) on May 1, 2009, were identified. Chi square tests were used to compare valproate use among women of childbearing age with similarly aged men and older women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Valproate was the most commonly prescribed agent for young women (23.4%). Men were more likely than women, and older women more likely than younger women, to take valproate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over 20% of childbearing-aged women receiving mood stabilizers were treated with valproate, although increasing data on the reproductive toxicity of this agent compel consideration of other non-antipsychotic mood stabilizers as first-line choices.
authors.affiliation: Women's Behavioral Healthcare, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. wisnerkl@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wisner
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leckman-Westin
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finnerty
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Essock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014635:Valproic Acid