Which antiepileptic drug is safe in pregnancy?

Which antiepileptic drug is 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 antiepileptic is contraindicated in pregnancy?

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.

What are the treatment options for the pregnant patient with epilepsy?

In order to prevent convulsions during labour, proper seizure control should be achieved during the third trimester. Benzodiazepines or phenytoin are found to be effective for seizure cessation during labour and delivery. Phytomenadione should be administered immediately after birth to the newborn.

Are epilepsy medications safe during pregnancy?

Medication you take during pregnancy can affect your baby. Birth defects — including cleft palate, neural tube defects, skeletal abnormalities, and congenital heart and urinary tract defects — are a few potential side effects associated with anti-seizure medications.

Is Tegretol safe in pregnancy?

Carbamazepine Pregnancy Warnings This drug may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Epidemiological data suggests an association between the use of this drug during pregnancy and congenital malformations, including spina bifida.

Is Eptoin safe in pregnancy?

Phenytoin is a medication used to treat epilepsy (seizure disorder). If phenytoin is taken by the mother in the first trimester, there is approximately a 5 to 10 percent chance that the baby could be born with a combination of birth defects known as the Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome.

Which antiepileptic drugs are teratogenic?

Valproate is the drug with the highest risk, whereas prevalence of MCMs is lowest with lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and oxcarbazepine. For valproate, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine, the risk of MCMs is dose-dependent.

Is carbamazepine safe in pregnancy?

Carbamazepine has not been associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications such as cesarean section, preeclampsia, or premature delivery,4 and its contributions to congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental anomalies have become clearer owing to recent large studies.

Is diazepam safe in pregnancy?

The available literature suggests that it is safe to take diazepam during pregnancy but not during lactation because it can cause lethargy, sedation, and weight loss in infants. The use of chlordiazepoxide during pregnancy and lactation seems to be safe.

Is levetiracetam safe during pregnancy?

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 …

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.

Is levetiracetam safe in pregnancy?

Levetiracetam (LEV) is one such AED which is supposed to be effective in controlling seizures during pregnancy and relatively free of teratogenic side effects.