Mental health

Valproate

Valproate medicines must not be used in women of childbearing potential unless the Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place. Actions for GPs, specialists and dispensers are available here. The link also includes how to order packs of information for patients/carers.

The Patient Safety Alert from South West Yorkshire Partnership includes information and cautions for use in mental health.

The Annual Risk Acknowledgement form, which should be used during annual specialist review of all women and girls of childbearing potential on valproate medicines (irrespective of indication). Specialists should comply with guidance given on the form if they consider the patient is not at risk of pregnancy, including the need for regular review in case her risk status changes.

 

Clozapine

Patient Safety Alert: Clozapine   

(Under review but still a current risk)

A reminder of the potentially fatal risk of intestinal obstruction, faecal impaction, and paralytic ileus as a result of constipation and reduced gastric motility.

 

Benzodiazepines and risk of suicide

Patient Safety Alert: Benzodiazepines and risk of suicide

A bulletin has been produced to highlight the potential risks of suicide associated with benzodiazepine prescribing and withdrawal.

 

Mental wellbeing

The NHS website has a Moodzone.

Meditation from Headspace