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On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Fri, 02/01/2008 - 19:06

Hi.  I am 23 years old and have been on 2000mg of Keppra a day for over three years.  I have also been seizure free ever since I started Keppra, and with no side effects.  I recently found out that I am pregnant with my first child.  I am ecstatic, but I can't help worrying about the unknown effects of Keppra on my baby.  My neuro is keeping me on the full dose for the duration of my pregnancy.  Other than taking extra good care of myself, does anyone have any advice?  Has anyone else gone through this that has a positive outcome?  A negative one?  I guess I am just searching for some sort of positive reinforcement to put my mind at ease a bit.  Thanks for reading.

Amy

Comments

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by rose0527 on Mon, 2008-05-19 - 18:47

Hi JF and other readers!  I had my 20 week ultrasound last week. I had a level 2 ultrasound, which is supposed to be more detailed and would be more apt to find anything wrong if there was something (i.e. cleft lip/palate, spina bifida, and other birth defects associated with anit-convulsants).  It took over an hour, but every last tiny part of her looked absolutely perfect.  Doc said that if there was anything being affected by my medication that it would have shown up on this ultrasound.  Thank God!  We are ecstatic that we are having a girl and that so far, she is perfectly healthy.  I have had much reassurance from the doctor that I have found in my area who has delivered plenty of babies with mothers on Keppra, and each of them have been perfectly healthy.  My neuro has been checking my levels frequently and they have not dropped yet, so I am still on 2000mg/day, but that could change at any time.  Good luck and God Bless!

 Amy

Hi JF and other readers!  I had my 20 week ultrasound last week. I had a level 2 ultrasound, which is supposed to be more detailed and would be more apt to find anything wrong if there was something (i.e. cleft lip/palate, spina bifida, and other birth defects associated with anit-convulsants).  It took over an hour, but every last tiny part of her looked absolutely perfect.  Doc said that if there was anything being affected by my medication that it would have shown up on this ultrasound.  Thank God!  We are ecstatic that we are having a girl and that so far, she is perfectly healthy.  I have had much reassurance from the doctor that I have found in my area who has delivered plenty of babies with mothers on Keppra, and each of them have been perfectly healthy.  My neuro has been checking my levels frequently and they have not dropped yet, so I am still on 2000mg/day, but that could change at any time.  Good luck and God Bless!

 Amy

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by 123456 on Wed, 2008-05-28 - 23:55

Hi,

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Keppra Pregnancy Registry released their Interim Report (studies from December 2004-August 2007) in December 2007. You can get a copy by calling the registry at 1-888-537-7734 (1-888-KEP-PREG).

There isn't a lot to it and it's pretty inconclusive but at least it's something.

 take care!

PLEASE REGISTER:)

 

Hi,

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Keppra Pregnancy Registry released their Interim Report (studies from December 2004-August 2007) in December 2007. You can get a copy by calling the registry at 1-888-537-7734 (1-888-KEP-PREG).

There isn't a lot to it and it's pretty inconclusive but at least it's something.

 take care!

PLEASE REGISTER:)

 

Re: On Keppra, Baby on the Way

Submitted by Ebony on Mon, 2008-06-02 - 00:48

MOMFORFIVE,

I've tried Keppra once while I was pregnant with my twins but unfortunately it wasn't the drug for me.  I was told it was one of the safest anti-epileptic drugs out during pregnancy. I feel your baby will be just fine... Keep up with your folic acid, and vitamins and he or she will be just fine.  So far, I have a Dylantin baby, Topamax baby and neurontin baby. How do you feel? Are you okay? Baby's have less side effects on these drugs... but we end up having to take our meds any way. By this time, your baby is used to Keppra in your system already. It'll be fine...you'll see.

MOMFORFIVE,

I've tried Keppra once while I was pregnant with my twins but unfortunately it wasn't the drug for me.  I was told it was one of the safest anti-epileptic drugs out during pregnancy. I feel your baby will be just fine... Keep up with your folic acid, and vitamins and he or she will be just fine.  So far, I have a Dylantin baby, Topamax baby and neurontin baby. How do you feel? Are you okay? Baby's have less side effects on these drugs... but we end up having to take our meds any way. By this time, your baby is used to Keppra in your system already. It'll be fine...you'll see.

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