Helpful tips / 21/12/2020

What happens if you get pregnant while taking Lamictal?

If the dose of lamotrigine was increased substantially during pregnancy, the patient should be monitored for any signs of toxicity (e.g. nausea, dizziness, vision changes, altered mental status) during the first few weeks after delivery, and the dose should gradually be decreased to pre-pregnancy levels.

Can you take lamotrigine while trying to get pregnant?

There’s no firm evidence that lamotrigine affects female fertility. For some men with epilepsy, epilepsy medicines can reduce their levels of testosterone. It does not affect everyone, but it could make you less fertile.

Can Lamictal cause a miscarriage?

There is currently no proof that lamotrigine use in pregnancy causes miscarriage or stillbirth.

How safe is lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) has been associated with a rare, but serious and life-threatening adverse reaction called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which can lead to multi-organ failure resulting in hospitalization or death, particularly if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.

Does lamotrigine cross placenta?

Lamotrigine has a good tolerability and safety profile, but is known to cross the placenta. There is no consensus regarding its use in pregnancy.

Are there any anti seizure medications for pregnant women?

Oxcarbazepine levels also tend to decrease during pregnancy however carbamazepine levels do not. 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.

Is it safe to take lamotrigine during pregnancy?

Lamotrigine (brand name Lamictal) and levetiracetam (brand name Keppra) are safer to use during pregnancy than other epilepsy medicines. Information shows that they do not increase the risk of physical birth abnormalities compared with the general population.

When to taper off epilepsy medications before pregnancy?

If you haven’t had a seizure for nine months before you conceive, you’re less likely to have a seizure during your pregnancy. If you haven’t had a seizure for two to four years, you might be able to taper off medications before you conceive and see if you remain seizure-free. Talk to your health care provider before discontinuing your medications.

Is it safe to take levetiracetam during pregnancy?

It’s understandable that this is a worrying time for you. However, although epilepsy medicines can increase the risk of fetal deformities, your baby has a very good chance of not having any birth problems. And evidence shows that levetiracetam is one of the least likely epilepsy medicines to cause birth problems.

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. Lamotrigine levels tend to dramatically decrease during pregnancy, increasing the risk of seizures.

What happens if you stop taking Lamictal during pregnancy?

You may have increased seizures if you stop using this medicine suddenly. Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking this medicine. Taking this medication during early pregnancy can increase the risk of the baby being born with cleft lip or cleft palate.

Is it safe for a woman with epilepsy to be pregnant?

In the old days, women with epilepsy were discouraged by some clinicians from going through a pregnancy—because of concerns about having a medically handicapped child. The latest data suggests that it is quite safe for the overwhelming number of women with epilepsy to consider pregnancy.