Carbamazapine for epilepsy in pregnancy

[Duj]

I am 23 years old and was diagnosed with epilepsy when i was 12.
I have been taking carbamazapine (400mg)per day.
On the advice of my neurologist i have tried reducing the dosage several times, each time i have had a grand mal seizure. He has now told me to stay on the medication permanently. Whilst taking the 400mg dosage i am completely free of seizures. I am concerned about when i become pregnant,or want to try to become pregnant,that i or my baby may have problems because of the carbamazapine. I realise that i have to weigh up the risk to myself & my baby,if i were to have a seizure during pregnancy, against the increased risk of birth defects from continuing to take carbamazapine. I would dearly love to have children.
In your opinion is it safe,for me & my baby to take, or not to take carbamazapine during pregnancy?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
                                Sally.

[JJ6696]

I am an adult male, and have been on carbamazepine since I was 18. I am now 48. Last year, I began exercising, and found I was have "episodes", or "spells". Not full seizures, just the little dizzies.

I stopped exercising and they went away. I started exercising this year, and again, the same thing. I must admit, I sweat a lot (I am the one who sweats just thinking about doing something). Could I be sweating out my medication, and as a result, I need to take more.

John

[cugirl]

My sister-in-law also has epilepsy and takes the same medication plus some others.  If she was to decide to have children she would have to completely stop taking her medications, but that is something her doctor told her she could never do...she could cause greater harm to her unborn baby if she had seizures. But she was born with epilepsy and hers could be harder to control than yours. But talk to your doctor..you want to make sure that if you can stop carbamazapine to have a baby that it is all out of your system before you become pregnant.  Best of Luck!!!

[ni]

Carbamazepine is in the FDA category D. This means that carbamazepine is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Carbamazepine passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby


This is what I got from msn health.  It is a category D.  Talk more about this to your doctor for advice.  Maybe there is an alternative med that you can use if you ever choose to be pregnant.  

Gina