Epilepsy and Pregnancy

I was diagnosed about a year ago with Epilepsy and put on Lamictal. My question is, when God willing the time comes, what is the track record with these drugs and pregnancy and breast feeding?

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

How are you? Lamictal or Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Use during pregnancy is recommended only if benefits outweigh potential risks. Taking this drug during the first trimester of pregnancy may lead to abnormalities such as cleft palate in babies. It can also be found in breast milk. This is why breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment. Talk to your doctor about alternative medication if you want to be pregnant and continue with the treatment.

Take care and keep us posted.

S

[cvm78]

Hi there,

I just wanted to write you with a bit of reassurance. I, too, have epilepsy and have been on Lamictal for several years now. I have one healthy, thriving little boy who's almost 2 showing ZERO sides of any adverse reaction to Lamictal which I took while I was pregnant with him.

I've been told by several neurologists (I was diagnosed when i was 13) that it's far safer to be on medication when you're pregnant versus not and risking your health thereby the health of your unborn baby. I've been told that of all anti-convulsants, Lamictal is the better drug to be on when pregnant. Aside from cleft-pallete, I haven't been warned of any other potential side effects.

As the doctor mentioned, I was also told not to breastfeed. Another doctor told me that because the amount of medication the baby would get is so small, some do take the chance. I felt better to eer on the side of caution with that one, and most doctor's agree.

It's really hard to stay positive when you research epilepsy and pregnancy online because everything makes you feel like it's all doom and gloom, like something will most definitely go wrong. Now I just try and keep in mind that all of these articles HAVE to tell you the things that could potentially go wrong. A medical article is never going to talk about all the possibilities of things being perfectly fine, given it's there to warn, not reassure you. While it's always best to be informed, I think you have to try to keep things in perspective and make sure your with an OB and a neurologist you really, really trust. I take 4mg's of Folic acid separate and apart from what's in a pre-natal vitamin and I also take Fish Oil tablets.

My blood levels are taken monthly because the way Lamictal (or any medication) is absorbed in a woman's body esp. during pregnancy varies. I'm trying to be on as little as possible in this first tri-mester which for me is 500 mg's a day (2 in am, 3 in pm). Finding the right balance is relatively easy as long as you monitor it regularly.

I'm sorry this has been such a long message! But I can completely understand your fears and hope this may help even a little.

Take good care!