Lamotrigine in pregnancy: Safety profile and the risk of malformations

Prakash, L. V. Prabhu, M. A. Nasar, R. Rai, S. Madhyastha, G. Singh

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The use of antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy always presents challenges to doctors and their patients as it may have deleterious effects on the developing embryo. Lamotrigine is most commonly prescribed drug among the newer antiepileptic drugs; hence, it has been selected for the present review. A number of studies pertaining to the safety of lamotrigine use during pregnancy have been reported, with differing results. Contradictory results have been reported in animals regarding lamotrigine teratogenicity, and human studies have also proven inconclusive. In many countries, human pregnancy registries are maintained to establish the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy, as all the different suggestions favour some over others, with specific antiepileptic combinations still being questioned. It is our hope that the present work may integrate the available disparate relevant facts into a directed effort towards minimising the risk of foetal compromise.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)880-883
Number of pages4
JournalSingapore Medical Journal
Volume48
Issue number10
Publication statusPublished - 10-2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Medicine(all)

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