What antiepileptic drugs are safe during pregnancy?
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.
What are the main classes of antiepileptic drugs?
The main groups include sodium channel blockers, calcium current inhibitors, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enhancers, glutamate blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, hormones, and drugs with unknown mechanisms of action (see the image below).
What antiepileptic drug is not safe in pregnancy?
Intrauterine exposure to certain antiepileptic drugs, particularly valproate, may be associated with the development of foetal malformations. Intrauterine valproate exposure is also associated with lower IQ values, neurodevelopment delay and autism.
What are anticonvulsants and classification?
Anticonvulsant drugs are classified as either first-generation (classic) agents or second-generation agents. Second-generation anticonvulsants are usually better tolerated and have a broader therapeutic range than classic anticonvulsant drugs. The choice of drug is guided by the type of. seizure. .
What is the classification of epilepsy?
Epilepsy is classified into four main types in this revised classification: 1) focal; 2) generalized; 3) combined generalized and focal; 4) unknown. The group of combined generalized and focal epilepsy is a new terminology introduced in the type of epilepsy.
What is a Class B pregnancy drug?
Category B drugs include prenatal vitamins, acetaminophen and several other medications used routinely and safely during pregnancy. If there is a clinical need for a Category B drug, it is considered safe to use it.
What medications are safe for pregnancy?
The best option is always to talk to your doctor before taking any medication during your pregnancy, but here are some medications that have been found to be generally safe for pregnant women: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) Loratadine (Claritin)
What are the anti – seizure medications?
Common anti-epileptic medications used to treat generalized seizures include valproate (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol and others), phenytoin (Dilantin), and topiramate (Topamax). If your seizures cannot be controlled with one drug alone, your doctor will try a combination of two drugs.
How does epilepsy affect pregnancy?
How epilepsy may affect your pregnancy: A seizure during pregnancy can injure you or your baby. During a seizure, the level of oxygen to your baby may decrease. This may cause brain or organ damage. A seizure may also cause preterm labor, preterm birth, or miscarriage. Epilepsy medicine increases the risk for birth defects.
Is epilepsy during pregnancy normal?
Epilepsy during Pregnancy. The combination of epilepsy and pregnancy is extremely risky; however, most women who have epilepsy during pregnancy can deliver healthy babies just like a normal pregnancy. Epilepsy or seizures are a common occurrence in women of the reproductive age affecting approximately 600,000 people in the UK.