Is Lamictal safe while pregnant?
Pregnancy registries have consistently demonstrated lamotrigine to be among the safest medications for a developing fetus, both in terms of fetal malformations and postpartum cognitive development.
What birth defects are caused by Lamictal?
Lamotrigine does not significantly increase risk of birth defects during pregnancy, says new study. A new study has shown that babies born to women who are taking the epilepsy drug lamotrigine, do not have a significantly increased risk of birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate or club foot.
What is the safest bipolar medication during pregnancy?
Lithium may, though, be a safer choice than some anticonvulsants. And when lithium is continued after childbirth, it can reduce the rate of relapse from 50% to 10%.
Does Lamictal cross the placenta?
Lamotrigine has a good tolerability and safety profile, but is known to cross the placenta.
Can Lamictal cause autism?
Exposure to another drug in the group, oxcarbazepine, ups the risk of autism 14-fold, whereas the antiepileptic lamotrigine is associated with a 9-fold increase. A combination of valproate and lamotrigine in the womb boosts risk 133-fold. Eight other drug treatment regimens show no association with autism.
How long can you stay on Lamictal?
If you have epilepsy, it’s likely that once your condition is under control you’ll still need to take lamotrigine for many years. If you have bipolar disorder, it’s likely that you’ll take lamotrigine for at least 6 months, but possibly much longer.
Should a bipolar woman have a baby?
Most women with bipolar disorder have a healthy pregnancy and baby, but there are some risks to be aware of. You may become unwell during your pregnancy, but the risk is higher after you give birth. Women with bipolar disorder are more likely to get: postnatal depression.
Can you breastfeed while taking Lamictal?
Can I breastfeed while taking lamotrigine? Lamotrigine can get into breast milk and then the baby’s body, often at levels that are similar to the parent. The possible effects of lamotrigine in a nursing newborn are not clearly known, but no side effects have been reported in most infants.