Effect of seizure medicines during pregnancy: In the United States, the FDA assigns each medication to a Pregnancy Category according to whether it has been proven to be harmful in pregnancy. Brivatracetam is listed in Pregnancy Category C. This means that caution is advised, but the benefits of the medicine may outweigh the potential risks.
- Studies in animals show possible harmful effects of brivatracetam to the developing fetus. Yet this needs to be studied in humans as more women use the drug.
- Talk to your health are providers if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- The risk of birth defects is generally higher in children of women who:
- Take more than one seizure medicine at the same time
- Have a family history of birth defects
All women who are capable of becoming pregnant should take at least 0.4 mg (400 mcg) each day of the vitamin called folic acid (also called folate). This vitamin is thought to help prevent birth defects affecting the brain and spinal cord, called neural tube defects. The most common of these is known as spina bifida.
- Women at high risk of having a child with a birth defect (such as those with a birth defect in a previous pregnancy or taking certain seizure medicines) may be asked to take 4 mg (4000 mcg) daily before and during pregnancy.
- Talk to your health care provider about using folic acid and how much to take.
- Start taking this vitamin before you become pregnant.
If you were taking brivaracetam while pregnant, consider enrolling in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 (www.aedpregnancyregistry.org).
Seizures during pregnancy: Some women may have more seizures during pregnancy, because of hormone changes and how seizure medicine is handled by your body.
- Talk to your health care provider before pregnancy about seizures and if medicine changes may be needed.
- Know when to check blood levels of medicine during and after pregnancy.
- The dose of seizure medicine may need to be adjusted during and after pregnancy.
Breastfeeding: Brivatracetam is found in breast milk in animal studies. No information is available on brivatracetam in a woman's breast milk.
- Women who wish to breastfeed should talk to their doctor about the best medicine to use during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
- If you choose to breastfeed, have the baby followed closely by a health care professional. Check the baby for drowsiness and keep track of their weight gain and development, especially if you are taking more than one seizure medicine.
- Talk to your health care team about any concerns that arise and the benefits and risks of breastfeeding.
Contraception: There are no known interactions of brivatracetam with hormonal birth control.