Which antiepileptic drug is safe in pregnancy?

A review of the risks of major congenital malformations and of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for antiepileptic drugs by the Commission on Human Medicines has confirmed that lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) are the safer of the medicines reviewed during pregnancy.

Are epilepsy medications safe during pregnancy?

Medication you take during pregnancy can affect your baby. Birth defects — including cleft palate, neural tube defects, skeletal abnormalities, and congenital heart and urinary tract defects — are a few potential side effects associated with anti-seizure medications.

How do you manage epilepsy during pregnancy?

In order to prevent convulsions during labour, proper seizure control should be achieved during the third trimester. Benzodiazepines or phenytoin are found to be effective for seizure cessation during labour and delivery. Phytomenadione should be administered immediately after birth to the newborn.

What is antiepileptic drugs used for?

Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) AEDs are the most commonly used treatment for epilepsy. They help control seizures in around 7 out of 10 of people. AEDs work by changing the levels of chemicals in your brain.

Is Lacosamide safe in pregnancy?

Lacosamide is listed in Pregnancy Category C. This means that caution is advised, but the benefits of the medicine may outweigh the potential risks. Talk to your health care providers if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Is Epival safe in pregnancy?

Valproate medicines include sodium valproate (Epilim, Episenta, Epival, Depakote) and valproic acid (Convulex). Taking valproate medicine during pregnancy can cause birth defects and problems with a child’s development and learning.

Is carbamazepine safe in pregnancy?

Carbamazepine Pregnancy Warnings This drug may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Epidemiological data suggests an association between the use of this drug during pregnancy and congenital malformations, including spina bifida.

Is levetiracetam safe in pregnancy?

Levetiracetam (LEV) is one such AED which is supposed to be effective in controlling seizures during pregnancy and relatively free of teratogenic side effects.

What is the best antiepileptic drug?

Conclusion: In this study of older adults with epilepsy, lamotrigine was the most effective AED as measured by 12-month retention and seizure freedom, with levetiracetam a close second. Oxcarbazepine was consistently less effective than most other AEDs.

What are the side effects of antiepileptic drugs?

In addition to the common side effects of antiepileptic drugs, like dizziness, drowsiness, and mental slowing; other side effects like weight gain, metabolic acidosis, nephrolithiasis, angle closure glaucoma, skin rash, hepatotoxicity, colitis, and movement and behavioral disorders, to name a few, have been brought to …

Is levetiracetam safe during pregnancy?

Is lamotrigine safe in pregnancy?

Pregnancy registries have consistently demonstrated lamotrigine to be among the safest medications for a developing fetus, both in terms of fetal malformations and postpartum cognitive development.

Is phenytoin safe in pregnancy?

Phenytoin is a medicine used to treat seizures (epilepsy). But the medicine can cause birth defects if a woman takes it during pregnancy. A baby born to a mother who took phenytoin has a 5 in 100 to a 1 in 10 chance of having a birth defect.

How many antiepileptic drugs are there?

Medications used to treat epilepsy are called antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). There are more than 30 prescription AEDs on the market, and they’re mostly available as oral tablets or capsules.

When do you start antiepileptic drugs?

For patients presenting with two or more seizures, consensus holds that treatment should be initiated if the seizures were of significant symptomatology such that the patient would wish treatment, and they occurred over a period of less than 6-12 months.

What is first line treatment for epilepsy?

Lamotrigine and levetiracetam are emerging as first-line treatments for epilepsy, which people may be more likely to keep taking than carbamazepine.

What is the first aid for seizures?

Place something soft under their head and loosen any tight clothing. Reassure the person until they recover. Time the seizure, if you can. Gently roll the person onto their side after the jerking stops.

What are 4 drugs to treat epilepsy?

Medicines used to treat epilepsy Carbamazepine, clobazam, clonazepam, eslicarbazepine, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, phenobarbital, phenytoin, pregabalin, primidone, rufinamide, sodium valproate, tiagabine, topiramate, vigabatrin and zonisamide.

What are the 4 types of seizures?

There are four main types of epilepsy: focal, generalized, combination focal and generalized, and unknown. A person’s seizure type determines what kind of epilepsy they have. Different types of seizures affect the brain in different ways.

How is emergency epilepsy treated?

First Aid

1. Keep other people out of the way.
2. Clear hard or sharp objects away from the person.
3. Don’t try to hold them down or stop the movements.
4. Place them on their side, to help keep their airway clear.
5. Look at your watch at the start of the seizure, to time its length.
6. Don’t put anything in their mouth.