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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: RE: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by stanley2b on Thu, 2005-08-18 - 10:24

Congrats on your new baby!!!

It was so nice to read your post on the info you got about the lamictal level in your baby.  My son is now 15 months old and even though he is doing great I still wonder how much lamictal he got when I breastfed him.  THANKS SO MUCH for posting.  It is really nice to get firsthand experiences related.  I have another child on the way and plan to breast feed again. Thanks again and please keep us informed of any new info you get about lamictal and your baby.  Take care!!!

Congrats on your new baby!!!

It was so nice to read your post on the info you got about the lamictal level in your baby.  My son is now 15 months old and even though he is doing great I still wonder how much lamictal he got when I breastfed him.  THANKS SO MUCH for posting.  It is really nice to get firsthand experiences related.  I have another child on the way and plan to breast feed again. Thanks again and please keep us informed of any new info you get about lamictal and your baby.  Take care!!!

RE: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by misskitty on Mon, 2005-07-11 - 18:35

hi i read ur note

  and i understand a little bit of what u are going through,i myself am not on that medication but i have been advised by my doctor to come off my medication,i was on epilim and the doctor said it would be a danger to keep on it ie for my baby such things like spina bifida or cleft palate.so the doctor had to withdraw me off my epilim,which took 8 months,i have now been drug free for 7 months,which is good going,and me and my partner are trying for a baby,back to your question,the doctor was telling me about a new drug,well is been out about 5 years,anyway i have same corncerns as you about breastfeeding,if i have a fit,i have asked him to put me on this new drug,as you can breastfeed on it with no harm to the baby,i will find out for u what its called and will get back to you,hope my info as been helpful to u.miss kitty.

hi i read ur note

  and i understand a little bit of what u are going through,i myself am not on that medication but i have been advised by my doctor to come off my medication,i was on epilim and the doctor said it would be a danger to keep on it ie for my baby such things like spina bifida or cleft palate.so the doctor had to withdraw me off my epilim,which took 8 months,i have now been drug free for 7 months,which is good going,and me and my partner are trying for a baby,back to your question,the doctor was telling me about a new drug,well is been out about 5 years,anyway i have same corncerns as you about breastfeeding,if i have a fit,i have asked him to put me on this new drug,as you can breastfeed on it with no harm to the baby,i will find out for u what its called and will get back to you,hope my info as been helpful to u.miss kitty.

RE: Lamictal and pregnancy

Submitted by Meg2681 on Wed, 2005-08-17 - 11:10
I am not a doctor but I have read alot about epilepsy and being pregnet. There are alot of risk in general regardless of your medication. they are small risk most of the time but there are still risk I would highly advise that you talk to your doctor and see what he thinks he would be your best bet. this could be dangerous for your baby.

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