Epilepsy, Pregnancy, and Antiepileptic Drugs

Abstract

Pregnancy follow-up is different in epilepsy patients in comparison with healthy individuals. The rate of maternal and infant mortality, as well as pregnancy and delivery complications, is greater than in the normal population. The use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy increases the rate of congenital malformation 2 to 5-fold. Polytherapy patients are more at risk than monotherapy patients. In studies conducted in recent years, valproate, phenobarbital, and topiramate have been reported as the riskiest drugs to use during pregnancy, while levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, and lamotrigine have been reported as the least risky. In order to reduce the teratogenic effects of antiepileptic drugs, additional folic acid is recommended.

Keywords

• antiepileptic drugs
• epilepsy
• pregnancy