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Should Pregnancy Be Continued If On Anti-epileptic Medication?
sir i suffered only one epileptic attack in may 2006 , since thaen i am on drugs and am at present onsodium valporate. further, i am also pregnent , i suffered two miscarriages in apr and nov 2009 then i was taking tegrital. my present neurologist says that i have to take sodium valporate and my gynae says that i have to stop it. iam taking two dose of sodium valporate of 300 and 500 mg in the morning and evevning. i am confused and want to know whether i should go ahead with the pregnancy or not .pl advice?
Thu, 11 Feb 2016
Hello,
I have gone through your query and understood the concern. Sodium valproate has been shown to be associated with congenital malformations like neural tube defects especially in larger doses and also when used in conjunction with other anti-epileptic medication. Thus, if you wish to go ahead with your pregnancy, you need to shift to safer medication. Carbamazepine has always been considered to be safer with pregnancy than the other drugs, but, as you had unfavorable outcome while on this medication, it may not suit you. Treatment also depends on the type of epilepsy you have. Please ask your gynecologist to discuss with your neurologist and decide the better available choices. This should be done keeping in mind that epilepsy is not a disease that is cured overnight and motherhood should not be withdrawn for correctable reasons. Hope this helps.
I have gone through your query and understood the concern. Sodium valproate has been shown to be associated with congenital malformations like neural tube defects especially in larger doses and also when used in conjunction with other anti-epileptic medication. Thus, if you wish to go ahead with your pregnancy, you need to shift to safer medication. Carbamazepine has always been considered to be safer with pregnancy than the other drugs, but, as you had unfavorable outcome while on this medication, it may not suit you. Treatment also depends on the type of epilepsy you have. Please ask your gynecologist to discuss with your neurologist and decide the better available choices. This should be done keeping in mind that epilepsy is not a disease that is cured overnight and motherhood should not be withdrawn for correctable reasons. Hope this helps.
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You can definitely continue with pregnancy and go for those anti epileptic drugs which are comparatively safer and have fewer side effects
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