Are antiepileptics safe in pregnancy?
A review of the risks of major congenital malformations and of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for antiepileptic drugs by the Commission on Human Medicines has confirmed that lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) are the safer of the medicines reviewed during pregnancy.
Which anticonvulsant can be used in pregnancy?
Of the new anti-seizure medications, lamotrigine and levetiracetam are the most widely used due to their known safety during pregnancy. Clearance of lamotrigine and levetiracetam doubles during pregnancy compared to before pregnancy.
Can oxcarbazepine be used in pregnancy?
Animal studies found oxcarbazepine might increase the chance for birth defects. Oxcarbazepine has not been well studied for use during pregnancy in humans. However, reports on close to 1,300 pregnancies have not suggested a significantly increased chance for birth defects when oxcarbazepine was used.
Are seizures more common during pregnancy?
For most pregnant women who have epilepsy, seizures remain the same. For a few, seizures become less frequent. For others, particularly women who are sleep deprived or don’t take medication as prescribed, pregnancy increases the number of seizures.
Do antiepileptics cause birth defects?
However, previous studies consistently have found that babies born to women who take certain antiepileptic medications during pregnancy have an increased risk for birth defects. Studies have shown that valproic acid presents the most risk to the developing baby.
Which antiepileptic drugs cause fetal abnormalities?
Other anti-seizure medications can cause a characteristic pattern of mental and physical birth defects similar to those seen in infants exposed to phenytoin during pregnancy. Such drugs include valproate, carbamazepine, primidone, and phenobarbital.
Is Phenobarbitone safe in pregnancy?
This drug crosses the placental barrier and distributes in fetal tissues, including the placenta, liver, and brain. Use during the first and third trimesters may be associated with an increased risk of teratogenicity and withdrawal symptoms in the newborn, respectively.
What pregnancy category is oxcarbazepine?
US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Does oxcarbazepine affect birth control?
Oxcarbazepine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy. You should not breast-feed while you are taking oxcarbazepine.
Why do seizures happen during pregnancy?
Structural and metabolic changes may precipitate new-onset seizures during pregnancy. The structural causes include intracranial hemorrhage of multiple types, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and ischemic stroke.
What happens to the baby if you have a seizure while pregnant?
Once you become pregnant, it will be even more important to control your seizures. Having seizures during pregnancy can affect the health of your baby. You might fall, or the baby may be deprived of oxygen during the seizure, which can injure the baby and increase your risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
Is it OK to take Keppra while pregnant?
Recent studies carried out by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), looking at the risks associated with commonly prescribed AEDs shows that lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) are safer to use during pregnancy than other AEDs, having low rates of physical birth abnormalities, in line with the …