pregnent and taking Phenytoin EX

My sister is 31 yrs old, and about 6 months pregnent. She is taking Phenytoin EX 100MG. 1capsule 3times daily. She is also a drug abuser. No one has ever seen her have a seizure, she is very secretive about the meds she takes because of her drug abuse. So is this med a danger to the unborn child.

[bhups1]

hi,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists phenytoin in Pregnancy Category D. This indicates that there is clear evidence of risk to the human fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risk for pregnant women who have a serious condition that cannot be treated effectively with a safer drug

The babies of women taking phenytoin have a greater than usual number of major birth defects like cleft lip, cleft palate, and heart malformations. Defects like these occur in 2-3% of all pregnancies but affect 4-7% of the babies of women taking only phenytoin.

Yet,taking off phenytoin can precipitate attack of seizure which can cause more harm to fetus.Please consult Neurologist for adjustment of doses of Phenytoin based on blood levels.

bye and take care!