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Lamictal and pregnancy

Mon, 02/07/2005 - 20:43

Hi everybody

I have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. I am currently 32 weeks pregnant and take 300mg of lamictal daily and have remained seizure free and well so far. 

I am concerned about the long term side effects of lamictal on my baby if I breast feed. I have recently read a paper "Concerns regarding lamotrigine and breast feeding" by Liporace et al which makes me concerned about the babys ability to metabolise the drug. I now think that I do not wish to breast feed my baby, but I am wondering if my baby goes through withdrawel from lamictal in the early stages of life will he suffer long term side effects from this. I know that breast feeding and especially colostrum has long term benefits but i am cautious due to the lack of information about what process the baby will use to metabolise it and how the build up of the drug in his system might affect his growth and development.

Has anyone else information or experience of bottle feeding or breast feeding a baby after taking lamictal through the pregnancy.

Would be gretaful for any input on how they are and if you think they went through withdrawal or any other side effects.

Thanks

Bugsbunny

Comments

RE: RE: RE: RE: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by bugsbunny on Fri, 2004-08-06 - 12:24
Dunno trying not to worry about seizing during labour, the idea of a sections scares the living daylights out of me though

RE: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by mexican_fire on Thu, 2004-08-05 - 13:12

Hi Bugsbunny~~

I am neither pregnant, nor have ever been or will due to my seizures and the many types I have.

I have looked up in a Nursing drug book from this year and this is what it says about your thoughts and concerns.

This drug has been shown to cause toxicity to the mother, and because of this, toxicity to the fetus.  Adequate studies of pregnant women are not available.

Advisability of use if breat-feeding--presence of this drug is in the breast milk, and all people taking this drug while pregnant should be advised to bottle-feed at all times.

That is what I could find on the subject matter.

Most AEDs are not safe to take while pregnant for that reason, but people need them to function so they take them anyway.

Nancy

Hi Bugsbunny~~

I am neither pregnant, nor have ever been or will due to my seizures and the many types I have.

I have looked up in a Nursing drug book from this year and this is what it says about your thoughts and concerns.

This drug has been shown to cause toxicity to the mother, and because of this, toxicity to the fetus.  Adequate studies of pregnant women are not available.

Advisability of use if breat-feeding--presence of this drug is in the breast milk, and all people taking this drug while pregnant should be advised to bottle-feed at all times.

That is what I could find on the subject matter.

Most AEDs are not safe to take while pregnant for that reason, but people need them to function so they take them anyway.

Nancy

RE: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by MiniBugMama on Tue, 2004-09-28 - 11:35
Oh I hope this gets to you in time ladies. My son is 11 months old. I was and am on both tegretol and Lamictol. We had no birth defects or any withdrawl problems. I have been breast feeding him the entire time. He is bright, energetic, loveing, and really smart. I know every parent says that right? But my biggest fear after learning he didn't have any spinal tube defects was mental disabilities. The benefits of breast feeding I think far outweigh the slight possibility that medication might leak through. I take 400mg of Lamictol a day and 1000mg TegretolXR I say it's a personal choice, but please don't let fear be your deal breaker. I say try it and see waht happens. Please keep in touch with how your babies are doing. I'd love to hear from you both. ~Vanesa

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