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Women with epilepsy can have safe, healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. However, proper planning and care is essential. However, proper planning and care is essential. The goal of planning is to minimize the risk of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders for the fetus while maintaining the mother's seizure control.
Use of anticonvulsant medications should be carefully monitored during use in pregnancy. [94] For example, since the first trimester is the most susceptible period for fetal development, planning a routine antiepileptic drug dose that is safer for the first trimester could be beneficial to prevent pregnancy complications. [95]
Women should speak to their doctor or healthcare professional before starting or stopping any medications while pregnant. [1] Drugs taken in pregnancy including over-the counter-medications, prescription medications, nutritional supplements, recreational drugs, and illicit drugs may cause harm to the mother or the unborn child.
Ethosuximide, sold under the brand name Zarontin among others, is a medication used to treat absence seizures. [4] It may be used by itself or with other antiseizure medications such as valproic acid. [4] Ethosuximide is taken by mouth. [4] Ethosuximide is usually well tolerated. [5]
As is the case for all antiepileptic drugs, it is advisable not to suddenly discontinue topiramate as there is a theoretical risk of rebound seizures. Some studies have attributed loss of appetite and upper respiratory tract infection to topiramate, but studies have concluded their adverse events are not difficult to tolerate for most individuals.
The pregnancy category of a medication is an assessment of the risk of fetal injury due to the pharmaceutical, if it is used as directed by the mother during pregnancy. It does not include any risks conferred by pharmaceutical agents or their metabolites in breast milk. Every drug has specific information listed in its product literature.
Primidone, sold under various brand names (including Mysoline), is a barbiturate medication that is used to treat partial and generalized seizures [7] and essential tremors. [8] It is taken by mouth. [7] Its common side effects include sleepiness, poor coordination, nausea, and loss of appetite. [7] Severe side effects may include suicide and ...
Oxcarbazepine, sold under the brand name Trileptal among others, is a medication used to treat epilepsy. [ 3 ] [ 5 ] For epilepsy it is used for both focal seizures and generalized seizures . [ 6 ] It has been used both alone and as add-on therapy in people with bipolar disorder who have had no success with other treatments.