Carbapenems with sodium valproate or valproic acid interaction

Carbapenems:concomitant use with sodium valproate or valproic acid interaction

MHRA Drug Safety Update December 2014

Advice for healthcare professionals:

• A clinically significant interaction between carbapenems and valproic acid/sodium valproate results in reduced valproate plasma concentrations with potential for inadequate seizure control.
• Given the large magnitude and rapid time course of this interaction, monitoring of sodium valproate levels or making dose adjustments are unlikely to manage this interaction

Concomitant use of carbapenems in patients taking valproic acid or sodium valproate should be discussed with Micro/ID and relevant clinical team.