The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has completed a review of the safety and efficacy of valproate in the treatment of manic episodes in bipolar disorder. The Committee concluded that the benefits of valproate in this condition outweigh its risks, and that marketing authorisations for all solid formulations (e.g. tablets, capsules or granules) of medicines containing valproate throughout Europe should be amended to include the treatment of manic episodes in bipolar disorders when lithium is contraindicated or not tolerated. Further information is available in a question-and-answer document at the link below.