A new review published in the UK has investigated the use of several common anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy.
The review brought together existing data on AED use in pregnancy in order to provide further clarity to women and parents of girls with epilepsy who may be prescribed any of the medications. While the review has been carried out by the UK medicines regulator (MHRA), the findings are of equal relevance to women and girls with epilepsy in Ireland.
AED use in pregnancy has received significant attention in both Ireland and the UK in recent months given developments in each jurisdiction regarding Sodium Valproate (Epilim).
This drug is known to have severe impacts on the child if prescribed in pregnancy. In the summer of 2020, the UK published the Cumberlege report while towards the end of 2020 in Ireland, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced that an inquiry will be held in Ireland on the historical use & licensing of the drug. You can read more about all of this by visiting the 'Advocacy' section of our website.
The severe impacts this drug can have led the MHRA to conduct this review of currently available evidence on the safety of a wider range of AEDs in pregnancy. The review examined the following drugs:
- Levetiracetam (brand name Keppra)
- Lamotrigine (brand name Lamictal)
- Carbamazepine (brand name Tegretol)
- Zonisamide (brand name Zonegran)
- Gabapentin (brand name Neurontin)
- Oxcarbazepine (brand name Trileptal)
- Pregabalin (brand name Lyrica)
- Topiramate (brand name Topamax)
- Phenobarbital (note that this medication is not commonly prescribed in Ireland anymore
- Phenytoin (brand name Epanutin) (note that this medication is not commonly prescribed in Ireland anymore)
The review considered information from clinical studies of women during pregnancy and from studies in animals. By reviewing this available information, the MHRA sought to establish the risk of the drugs in pregnancy in relation to:
- Physical birth abnormalities
- Harmful effects on the growth of the unborn baby
- Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adverse effects on learning and thinking abilities.
A summary of the review’s findings based on available safety data is presented below under these three headings.
Physical birth abnormality
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and Levetiracetam (Keppra) medicines are safer to use during pregnancy than other epilepsy medicines. Information supports that they do not increase the risk of physical birth abnormalities compared with the general population
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital or Topiramate (Topamax) use during pregnancy increases the risk of physical birth abnormalities compared with the general population
Epilepsy medicines where the data support an increased risk of having a baby born with a physical birth abnormality:
General population
2 to 3 out of 100 babies
Carbamazepine
4 to 5 out of 100 babies
Phenobarbital
6 to 7 out of 100 babies
Phenytoin
about 6 out of 100 babies
Topiramate
4 to 5 out of 100 babies
Valproate
about 10 out of 100 babies
- Gabapentin (Neurontin) and Pregabalin (Lyrica) – risks during pregnancy are not yet fully understood; some data suggest that taking pregabalin during pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of a baby being born with physical birth abnormalities
- Clobazam (Frisium) and Pregabalin (Lyrica) – some research suggests that these medicines may slightly increase the risk of a baby being born with physical birth abnormalities; however, the research that is available does not allow firm conclusions to be reached and further data are needed; the risk of harming a baby cannot be confirmed or ruled out.
- Zonisamide (Zonegran) – more data are needed to understand whether zonisamide use during pregnancy increases the chance of having a baby born with a birth abnormality.
Development of the brain
- Phenobarbital or phenytoin use during pregnancy increases the risk the child may have difficulties with learning and thinking ability. Although the exact risk is not known it is not as high as for valproate (Epilim).
- For carbamazepine (Tegretol), lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) the available information does not suggest an increased risk of the child having difficulties with learning and thinking ability; however, the limited data for lamotrigine and levetiracetam mean an increased risk cannot be ruled out
- For gabapentin (Neurontin), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), pregabalin (Lyrica), topiramate (Topamax) and zonisamide (Zonegran) more data are needed to understand whether use of these epilepsy medicines during pregnancy increases the chance of having a baby born with a learning or thinking disability
Growth of the baby in the womb
- Phenobarbital, topiramate (Topamax), or zonisamide (Zonegran) use during pregnancy increases the risk of the baby being born smaller than expected compared with the general population
- For lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) the information supports that use of these medicines during pregnancy does not increase the risk of the baby being born small for gestational age
- For carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin (Neurontin), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin and pregabalin (Lyrica) the data are either limited or report inconsistent findings and therefore the possibility of an increased risk cannot be confirmed or ruled out
Lack of evidence on some medications
For the medicines listed below there is not enough information on their use in pregnancy to make any conclusions about their safety when used during pregnancy. This means the risk of harming a baby cannot be confirmed or ruled out.
- Brivaracetam (brand name Briviact)
- Clonazepam (brand name Rivotril)
- Eslicarbazepine (brand name Zebinix)
- Ethosuximide (brand name Zarontin)
- Lacosamide (brand name Vimpat)
- Rufinamide (brand name Inovelon)
- Perampanel (brand name Fycompa)
- Primidone (brand name Mysoline)
- Tiagabine (brand name Gabitril)
- Vigabatrin (brand name Sabril)
Questions you may have...
We know that this may lead to questions from women who are on these drugs – particularly those who may be see a drug they are currently taking showing an increased risk. We have listed some questions that you may have and further advice for you below.
A drug I am taking is listed as showing an increased risk in the review. Should I stop taking it?
DO NOT stop taking your prescribed epilepsy medication without first consulting with your medical team. If you have any concerns with the information listed above, please contact your healthcare professional regarding same.
I am planning on starting a family and I’m concerned about the AED I’m on. What should I do?
You should contact your healthcare professionals to discuss this. It is important for all women with epilepsy to have a discussion with their team when planning a family given the nature of the condition. Therefore, if you are planning a family, link in with your local Epilepsy Nurse Specialist, Medical professional or local Community Resource Officer.
Is this new information?
It is important to stress that the review consists of information that was already available and is a review of existing evidence in order to give women and health professionals further guidance and advice. The review highlights the importance of collaborative communication between healthcare professionals and their patients on potential risks. If you have concerns about the medication you are on, ensure that you discuss this with your medical team.
Are there figures on the specific risk of each drug?
With regard to the drugs that have recorded an increased risk of birth defects, the MHRA have published the relative risk of each (see table above). It is important to note that for all drugs assessed in the review, the risk of birth defects is lower compared to valproate. It should also be noted that there is a 2-3% background risk of birth defects occurring in children who have not been exposed to ANY medication during pregnancy.
Comparative data is not included in the review in relation to neurodevelopmental delay or other effects. The full MHRA findings are available to download and read on our website.
I think my child has potentially been affected by exposure to AED’s during pregnancy. Who can I contact?
If you think your child has been impacted, you should contact your healthcare professional and to discuss this further. You can also contact our colleagues in OACS Ireland in the strictest confidence. You can find their details by visiting the OACS Ireland website.
Remember, please do not stop taking your prescribed medication without first speaking to your medical professional. If you need further support or advice with regard to our epilepsy when planning a pregnancy, please feel free to contact your local Community Resource Officer . You can find their details in the 'Our Local Service' section of our website. You can also find further information by visiting the 'Women' section of our website.