title: Should women of childbearing potential be prescribed valproate? a call to action.
abstract: Prescribing medications during pregnancy can be complicated by a serious negative outcome-harm to the fetus. Probably the 2 best-known examples of medications that can cause severe teratogenicity are thalidomide and isotretinoin. Thalidomide, used for anxiety, insomnia, and tension, was associated with phocomelia (malformation of limbs that many children did not survive).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Tolan Park Bldg, 3rd Fl, 3901 Chrysler Service Dr, Detroit, MI 48201 rbalon@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balon
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riba
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid