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.
Are you high risk pregnancy with epilepsy?
In women with epilepsy, the risk is doubled to about 4% to 6%, but overall remains low. Risks to the developing baby may be greater when more than one type of medication is used and with a higher dose of medication.
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.
Can I have a baby if I have epilepsy?
Fortunately, most women with epilepsy give birth to normal, healthy babies. If you take precautions, your chance of having a healthy child is greater than 90%. There are increased risks. But working closely with your doctor can help minimize those risks.
Can epilepsy medication cause miscarriage?
When they analyzed the data with regard to diagnosis, comparing risk of miscarriage in women with epilepsy versus women without epilepsy, the researchers found that there no increase in risk in women with epilepsy taking AEDs.
What causes epilepsy during pregnancy?
Occasionally, some women have convulsions for the first time during pregnancy. Factors such as hormonal changes, water retention and stress are known triggers for seizures.
Can you give birth naturally with epilepsy?
Most women with epilepsy will have a vaginal delivery, without complications. If you are considered to be at risk of having seizures during delivery or the following 24 hours, you will be advised to give birth in a consultant-led maternity unit.
How do you deal with epilepsy during pregnancy?
Appropriate management of epilepsy during pregnancy may involve frequent monitoring of antiepileptic drug serum concentrations, potential preconception switching of antiepileptic medications, making dose adjustments, minimizing peak drug concentration with more frequent dosing, and avoiding potentially teratogenic …
Can epilepsy cause birth defects?
In women with epilepsy treated with seizure medications, the risk of birth defects is increased to 6.1% on average, based on currently available data. The most common malformations associated with exposure to seizure medications in utero are cardiac (heart) malformations.
Does epilepsy medication affect fertility?
Epilepsy and certain anti-epileptic drugs may also cause problems with fertility in men, including lower testosterone levels and lower sperm count. People who are experiencing problems with fertility should speak to their doctor, as treatments are available.
Are LTG and Lev effective in the management of epilepsy during pregnancy?
Third, LTG and LEV, in monotherapy and polytherapy use, are comparatively less teratogenic and are therefore considered favorable agents for the management of epilepsy during pregnancy. Lastly, therapeutic drug monitoring in some patients may help prevent seizure deterioration during pregnancy. Obstetrical risk during delivery in WWE
Who is Dr Leppik?
Dr. Leppik is also a Professor in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Should women with epilepsy use antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy?
Women with epilepsy (WWE) are advised to continue antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy to reduce maternal and fetal trauma associated with seizures. The goal is optimal seizure control with minimum fetal exposure to AEDs.
Are women with epilepsy at increased risk for obstetric complications?
Women with epilepsy may be at increased risk for obstetrical complications. A large, retrospective cohort study of WWE (69,385) and women without epilepsy (WWoE) (20,449,532) found WWE are at higher obstetrical risk [MacDonald et al.2015].