Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Lamictal and pregnancy
Mon, 02/07/2005 - 20:43Hi 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: RE: RE: RE: Lamictal and pregnancy
Submitted by gkurutz on Thu, 2005-04-21 - 14:23
Hi Everybody. I changed from Depakote to Lamictal about 3 years ago and I really love it. I was on Depakote for 14 years and it really worked well for me but I gained a lot of weight when I started taking it. When I switched meds I dropped 30 pounds! It did take about a month or so, but it was well worth it.
I switched to lamictal because I want to have children. I am 32 now and my husband and I have decided to start trying to have a child. I have been terrified of having a baby because of concerns over what the meds might do to my baby. I am so encouraged to hear about the 2.9% defect rate with Lamictal! Does anyone know if there are any developmental delay issues with children born on lamictal?
Hi Everybody. I changed from Depakote to Lamictal about 3 years ago and I really love it. I was on Depakote for 14 years and it really worked well for me but I gained a lot of weight when I started taking it. When I switched meds I dropped 30 pounds! It did take about a month or so, but it was well worth it.
I switched to lamictal because I want to have children. I am 32 now and my husband and I have decided to start trying to have a child. I have been terrified of having a baby because of concerns over what the meds might do to my baby. I am so encouraged to hear about the 2.9% defect rate with Lamictal! Does anyone know if there are any developmental delay issues with children born on lamictal?
RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Lamictal and pregnancy
Submitted by murphim on Wed, 2005-04-20 - 19:06
I've been on 600mg of Lamictal a day and I am now pregnant. The stats on lamictal and pregnancy seem to be pretty postive. My concern after reading alot of these postings is that my doctor has never done a Lamictal drug level. Is this necessary? Is there anyone else who has never had a level drawn?